Andrea Shoup

The structure of a DAF is simple; you set it up with your community foundation or as a charitable trust with a financial adviser, and then decide how you want funds distributed and to which charities. The next step is to make the DAF a beneficiary of a trust in your estate plan, and you […]

The Living Trust – A living trust is a flexible estate planning tool that allows you to manage and distribute your assets and can remain in effect after you die. Here are the basics: A trust contains a current transfer of assets while you are alive, administered by a trustee. You as the grantor of […]

Financial Planning – Generally speaking, financial planning focuses on managing your current assets and resources to maximize investment gains and minimize taxes, as well as analyzing your income, budgets and spending. Typically, this can be done by a certified financial planner who has expertise in these areas, and can recommend different investment vehicles, strategies and […]

Avoid Intestate Laws The first thing to understand, is that if you die without an estate plan, state statutes will control how your assets are distributed.  What this means is that your hard-earned money and property could go to an uncle or cousin you have not seen in years, while others that you are close […]

Adopted Children – No Estate Plan – Intestate Succession An adopted child has the same legal status as a biological child in California, even if they are not US citizens. What this means is that if you die without a will, intestate law will control the distribution of your estate and adopted children will receive […]

Remember, at a minimum someone needs to know that you have a will or trust and where it is located, but often that will be your attorney. Situations When Transparency is a Good Idea Here are a few examples of when it might be wise to share your estate plan details: Family Business – If […]

Whether they are remote workers, retirees, investors or expat employees, there are some things to consider when it comes to estate planning. Foreign Residents If you are a US citizen living either temporarily or long term in a foreign country, you have to think about the effect on your estate plan and heirs if you […]

It is generally understood that when couples divorce they will also be changing their estate plan to reflect the divorce, as well as to accommodate new spouses or children. However, in California, spouses have the option of a legal separation, which preserves some inheritance rights for the surviving spouse, as well as any fiduciary responsibilities. […]

The goal is to make sure that your estate plan is up to date and reflects the intentions and priorities of both spouses. Then, as your family grows, and asset values increase, you can easily amend it as needed. So, instead of an unpleasant task to be put off, making an estate plan together is […]

Pet lovers making an estate plan often ask how they can provide for the future care of their pet. This is a natural question since a pet can be an important life companion, especially as people get older. If you want to provide for your pet after you are gone, there are ways to handle […]