If My Will Is Filed with the Court, Will It Go through Probate?
Death is a personal and private affair that affects the deceased’s close family and friends. However, there is at least one aspect of death that may require state oversight: probate. Probate is the court-supervised process of either (a) carrying out the instructions laid out in the deceased’s will or (b) applying state law to distribute […]
Avoid Living Probate: How to Keep Guardians and Conservators Out of Your Estate
While many proactive individuals understand the importance of having a comprehensive estate plan, they often assume that their plan addresses only what happens after they pass away. However, a comprehensive estate plan is also meant to positively impact your life by planning for and providing necessary protections while you are still around to reap the […]
Understanding Power of Attorney in California: Financial vs. Healthcare
KEY TAKEAWAYS Power of attorney is one of those terms that almost everyone has heard — but very few people truly understand. In this episode of Legacy Protected, estate planning attorney Romelia “DeDe” Soto of The Soto Law Group breaks down exactly what a power of attorney does, what it doesn’t do, and why the […]
Why Most Power of Attorney Documents Fail When They’re Needed Most
A power of attorney sounds like a simple safety net. Sign a document, name someone you trust, and the problem is solved. DeDe Soto sees the opposite play out constantly. Families walk in believing they’re covered, only to discover their financial and medical authority got tangled together, or that the document they signed years ago […]
019: Financial or Medical Power of Attorney: What California Law Requires
Power of attorney sounds simple until a family actually needs one. DeDe Soto breaks down why so many people believe they have this handled when they don’t, from mismatched financial and medical documents to the shock of learning a power of attorney becomes void the moment someone dies. She explains the difference between immediate and […]
Digital Estate Planning: Why Passwords Aren’t Enough
Key Takeaways Introduction She found the notebook in the top drawer of her mother’s desk. Six pages. Every account. Every password. Username, password, recovery question. Her mother had been organized her whole life, and the notebook proved it. Then she tried to log in. The bank account asked for a six-digit code sent to her […]
What You Should Know about Life Insurance in Estate Planning
Key Takeaways Introduction An estate plan may look perfect on paper—until your heirs need cash quickly. Life insurance can be a powerful tool for addressing that gap, providing funds precisely when they are needed most. When coordinated with the rest of your estate plan, it can also help ensure that your wishes are carried out […]
When Your Spouse Won’t Get on Board with Estate Planning: What to Do Now
Key Takeaways Introduction You’ve brought it up before. Maybe it came up after watching a friend go through something hard, a probate process that dragged on for years, or a family left scrambling without the right documents in place. Maybe a health scare prompted the conversation, or a birthday that snuck up faster than expected. […]
How to Protect Your Children with a Legal Guardianship Plan in California
KEY TAKEAWAYS Most parents assume that having a will means their children are protected. It’s a reasonable assumption — but it’s also one of the most dangerous misconceptions in estate planning. In two back-to-back episodes of Legacy Protected, attorney Romelia “DeDe” Soto of The Soto Law Group walks through exactly what happens to children when […]
What Is a Special Needs Trust and Why Might Your Family Need One?
KEY TAKEAWAYS For families raising a child with a disability, the love and care they provide every single day is extraordinary. But one question tends to keep those parents up at night: What happens to my child when I’m no longer here? In this episode of Legacy Protected, estate planning and special needs trust attorney […]