Will

Although most people start with a Last Will and Testament when they create their initial estate plan, it is not uncommon to add to that Will as a family and/or estate grows. In fact, many people eventually choose to use a trust agreement as the primary method for distributing their estate after they pass away because of the numerous advantages a trust offers. If you choose to use a trust to distribute your estate, the Los Angeles attorneys at Schomer Estate & Wealth Advisors explain why you … [Read more...] about What Is a Pour-Over Will and Do I Need One?

Coping with the emotional aftermath of a loved one's passing is always challenging. However, navigating the practical and legal consequences can be equally daunting. Contesting the will of a recently deceased family member is a weighty decision that many find difficult to make. To assist you in making an informed choice, the Los Angeles attorneys at Schomer Estate & Wealth Advisors provide insight into key considerations to contemplate before opting to contest a California Will. Fundamentals … [Read more...] about Contesting a California Will – Is It Worth the Cost?

If you are newly married, you and your new spouse will probably want to make changes to your existing estate plans to reflect your new marital status. One of the first things you will likely consider is changing your existing Wills or creating Wills if you do not yet have them. You may have heard that married couples often create joint or reciprocal Wills. It is important to understand the difference between these two options as well as to understand how much either option can accomplish. With … [Read more...] about Married Couples: Reciprocal vs. Joint Will

When a loved one passes away, one of the first practical steps that typically occurs is a search for the decedent’s Last Will and Testament. If one is located, the person named as the Executor of the Will files the original Will, along with other supporting documents, with the appropriate court to initiate the probate proceedings. If you believe that the Will submitted to probate is not valid, you may be entitled to contest the Will using one of several legal grounds on which a Will may be … [Read more...] about How Do I Prove Undue Influence in a California Will Contest?

Although many people choose to incorporate a trust agreement into their estate plan, a Last Will and Testament continues to serve as the foundation for most estate plans. The Will you drafted even a few short years ago, however, may not cover your current circumstances, meaning you may need to make changes to your Will. With that in mind, the Los Angeles estate planning attorneys at Schomer Estate & Wealth Advisors discuss how to amend your Last Will and Testament. Last Will and Testament … [Read more...] about How Do I Amend My Last Will and Testament?

You likely know what a Last Will and Testament is and have probably included one in your estate plan. Your Will allows you to decide how your estate assets are distributed after you are gone. Many people, however, want to pass down more than just assets. For that, you may wish to consider creating an Ethical Will. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, the Los Angeles estate planning attorneys at Schomer Estate & Wealth Advisors explain what an Ethical Will is and why you might want to … [Read more...] about Should I Create an Ethical Will?

El divorcio es tanto un proceso emocional como legal. Uno de los objetivos de la parte legal de un divorcio es dividir legalmente las deudas y los activos del matrimonio. Una cosa que las parejas que se divorcian a menudo pasan por alto durante el proceso de divorcio es cómo ese divorcio afecta los planes patrimoniales existentes. Cuando piensan en las ramificaciones del divorcio en los planes de sucesión, ya sea durante o después de un divorcio, comienzan a preguntarse si una exesposa (o … [Read more...] about ¿Sigue Siendo Válido un Testamento Después de un Divorcio?

Divorce is both an emotional and a legal process. One goal of the legal part of a divorce is to legally divide the debts and assets of the marriage. One thing that divorcing couples often overlook during the divorce process is how that divorce impacts existing estate plans. When they do think about the ramifications of divorce on estate plans, either during or after a divorce, they start wondering if an ex-wife (or husband) is entitled to an inheritance after the divorce. To help clarify the … [Read more...] about Is a Will Still Valid after a Divorce?