Estate Planning Attorney in San Jose, CA

40+ Years As California’s Most Trusted Estate Planners

408-684-5667
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Does Your Will and Estate Planning Documents Need to Be Updated?

February 22, 2022 by Robert P. Bergman

It’s generally recommended that you review your will and other end-of-life documents at least every few years, although there can be reasons to do a checkup more often.

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: Beneficiary Designation, Contingent, Estate Planning Attorney, Executor, Guardian, Healthcare Power of Attorney, Inheritance, Pensions, Power of Attorney, Retirement Account, Spouses

Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives

July 29, 2021 by Robert P. Bergman

Some people think that, because their assets are jointly owned with a spouse or are in a trust, they do not need a Power of Attorney, or that if they become incapacitated, their spouse automatically has the authority to make medical decisions on their behalf.

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: Advance Directive, Agent, Durable Power of Attorney, Estate Planning Attorney, Guardian, Health Care Proxy, POA, Principal

What’s the Latest on Country Star Charley Pride’s Estate?

July 28, 2021 by Robert P. Bergman

There’s a battle brewing over the estate of Grammy-winning country star Charley Pride, fueled by a son few knew existed.

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: Estate Planning Attorney, Probate Attorney, Undue Influence, Will Contest

Reviewing Estate Plans Matters

July 6, 2021 by Robert P. Bergman

Many of our parents completed their estate plans decades ago. The documents may still be valid. However, if they are stale or outdated, you may spend significant money trying to use them down the road.

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: Affidavit, Beneficiary Designation, Decedent, Estate Planning Attorney, Estranged, Fees, Penalties, Personal Items, Power of Attorney, Probate, SECURE Act, Tax Laws, Will

What Happens If an Unmarried Partner Dies?

July 1, 2021 by Robert P. Bergman

A proper estate plan will help those left navigate the disposition of assets and the probate court system, especially for unmarried couples and some married same-sex couples.

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: Beneficiary Designations, End-of-Life Care, Estate Planning Attorney, Healthcare Directive, Healthcare Power of Attorney, Incapacity, Inheritance, Intestacy, Kinship, Pensions, Probate, Tax-Deferred Retirement Accounts, Transfer on Death

Do You Have to Do Probate when Someone Dies?

June 18, 2021 by Robert P. Bergman

For most of us, the first time we ever thought about probating a will is when someone in our family has died. So, what does it mean to probate a will?

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: 401(k), Administrator, Assets, Beneficiary Designation, Court, Estate Planning Attorney, Executor, Intestate, Life Insurance, Living Trust, Non-Probate, Probate, Testate, Wills

Your Will and Estate Planning Checklist

June 18, 2021 by Robert P. Bergman

Most people should have a will, but it’s rarely the most significant estate planning document that an individual will hold.

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: Advance Directive, Assets, Beneficiary Designations, Digital Assets, Disinherit, Estate Planning Attorney, Living Will, Medical Power of Attorney, Power of Attorney, Trust, Will

Please consult an attorney for advice about your individual situation. This site and its information is not legal advice, nor is it intended to be. Feel free to get in touch by electronic mail, letters or phone calls. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Until an attorney-client relationship is established, please withhold from sending any confidential information to us.

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