Articles
Do I Need an Estate Plan?
The first question I often get when people learn that I am an estate planning attorney in Orange County is: “Do I need an estate plan? I’m not rich.” The simple answer is yes. Let’s first start with what exactly an estate is, what it is not, and then we can discuss planning. What… Read More »
Estate Planning Without Children
The need for estate planning without children is not always immediately evident. Most people think about estate planning from the perspective of what happens when you die. While this is certainly an issue that needs to be addressed in your estate plan, it is not necessarily the most important issue for you. If you don’t have… Read More »
John L. Wong Featured in California Business Journal: My Way
By Rick Weinberg, California Business Journal Attorney John Wong left one of the country’s biggest and most prestigious Los Angeles estate planning firms to launch his own private practice in Orange County because he knew “there was a better way.” When John Wong was hired by the esteemed estate planning law firm of Hoffman,… Read More »
Estate Planning for Blended Families (Second Marriage)
Estate Planning for Blended Families Estate planning for blended families requires addressing issues specific to the blended family scenario. What is a Blended Family? Generally, in the estate planning world, the term “blended family” is used to describe a family where there is one or more step-children. This can take several forms: 1) Second… Read More »
Trump’s Proposal to Repeal Estate Taxes
President-elect Donald Trump made several promises during his campaign for President. As your estate planning attorney, we have focused on Trump’s promises related to estate tax reform. Based upon Trump’s tax plan, the following are Trump’s proposed changes to the federal estate tax regime during his presidency. Current Estate Tax Regime Currently, a married… Read More »
Heggstad Petition – The Solution to a House Not in Trust at Death
Heggstad Petition Are you a trustee and trying to sell your parent’s or spouse’s house after they have passed away? Did he or she have a Trust, but the house was in his or her individual name (not in Trust)? An all too common problem. Enter the Estate of Heggstad to the rescue! The… Read More »
How to Avoid U.S. Gift and Estate Taxes When Becoming a U.S. Resident Alien or U.S. Citizen
If you intend on becoming a U.S. Resident Alien or U.S. Citizen in the future, it is important to consider the need to avoid U.S. gift and estate taxes now. Once you become a U.S. Resident Alien or U.S. Citizen for gift and estate tax purposes, many of your estate planning opportunities will be… Read More »
Medi-Cal Planning: Avoiding Medi-Cal Recovery
Medi-Cal planning is essential for anyone receiving, or likely to receive, Medi-Cal benefits. A major concern for anyone on Medi-Cal is California’s Medi-Cal Estate Recovery Program. Even if you or a loved one is not currently on Medi-Cal, due to the high costs of nursing home care, you may qualify for Medi-Cal in the… Read More »
Estate Planning for Expecting Parents
So you’ve gone from bachelor(ette), to the perfect (or not-so-perfect) married couple, and now the perfectly prepared expecting parents. You’ve read all the baby books you could find, and after hours of research, you have purchased the perfect stroller, crib and car seat. You’re ready! Or are you? Expecting parents often overlook the need… Read More »
Estate Planning for California Community Property
When we meet with married couples, one of the many important topics we discuss is estate planning for California community property and separate property. As many of us know, California, unlike most states, is considered a community property state. Most people assume, incorrectly, if you are married, then all of your property is community… Read More »
