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When I sit down with clients to discuss estate planning, one of the most common concerns I encounter is the fear of what happens if they die without a will.

Estate planning involves preparing for the management and distribution of your assets after your death or incapacitation. It creates a roadmap for your wishes to be carried out and your loved ones to receive designated assets, while minimizing potential legal battles.

Death is something we don’t like to think about, and yet we have so many questions about it. Preparing for the future and the loss of a loved one is an emotionally taxing experience. Because on top of dealing with grief and final arrangements, there are also legal and financial matters that need to be addressed.

When it comes to blended families, the complexities multiply. If you're part of a blended family, looking to start an estate plan or modify an existing one, you've come to the right place. I understand that you want to ensure your estate plan covers all family members and caters to the specific dynamics of your blended family.

Executors – also known as personal representatives or administrators – play a major role during estate administration. Upon a person's death, the California probate court will appoint the executor to gather and evaluate the decedent's assets, pay taxes and debts, distribute assets to rightful inheritors, and settle their financial affairs.

Many people think that the term “estate planning” is a concept that applies only to those who live behind gates and are chauffeured about wherever they go, but far from it. Estate planning is the process of preparing for the future, not only for your loved ones but also for yourself.

A living trust remains a powerful estate planning tool that you can use to preserve assets and money for beneficiaries and upcoming generations until a future date. However, various major changes in your life, finances, family, or accumulated assets may bring about the need to modify, remove, or add assets to a trust.

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal instrument that gives someone else the legal authority to make decisions in your name. POAs are generally focused on financial and health care considerations, and often take effect when the owner of the document becomes incapacitated and is unable to make decisions on their own.

A will is the backbone of many people’s estate plans, and having a valid will in place can ensure your wishes for your estate are honored after you pass away. However, since the actual administration of your will is left to your executor and heirs, issues can arise if they only have a copy of the will and not the original signed document.

Estate planning may not be glamorous, but it’s a key part of planning for the future. Effective estate planning helps protect assets and loved ones from unforeseen circumstances. However, 6 out of 10 adults in the US do not have a will in place.