Law Office of Tracy Nieradzik

Everyone has heard the "P" word...Probate! Here are some facts about probate and ways to avoid it.

Happy Monday! We are at the beginning of a new year and this is a post for all the parents with minor children. As a mom of two myself, I understand how we never want to think about if we were not around, but life is unpredictable and unfortunately these things happen everyday. Make your wishes known in a guardian nomination, which should be part of every estate plan where minor kids are involved.

As a new way to kick off 2020, Law Office of Tracy Nieradzik is on Instagram! Follow here to learn more about estate planning and how you can best prepare for the unplanned. Follow here: www.instagram.com/nieradziklaw

This article is interesting and food for thought. It does not mention a living trust or will specifically, which should be at the top of the list of what you leave for your loved ones during this difficult time. I would also suggest that instead of leaving it for them to "discover", be sure to tell them during life where the documents are.

Happy New Year! Now that the holidays are behind us, it is a good time to think about your current estate plan if you have one and make sure it is up to date. The years seem to fly by, and often there are changes that may need to be made to your documents, as planning goals tend to shift over time. If you don't have an estate plan, now is a great time to get things in order. Nobody is immune from life circumstances and the best thing you can do for your loved ones is to take care of documents now that may be needed during your incapacity or passing. If you have minor aged children, do you have your wishes documented should something happen to you? If you have any questions, I always offer complimentary considerations to go over what we can do. Happy 2019!

Law Office of Tracy Nieradzik is all set up! Come on by...I have free candy too.

FALSE (mostly)! I hear a lot of clients say that one of their biggest concerns is that if they pass away without some kind of estate planning that the state will take all of their assets. This is generally untrue. If you die without a will, you are said to have died "intestate" and state law controls the disposition of your assets through the probate process (typically to your children and/or spouse; intestate succession laws will determine to whom it passes if you leave n...o children or spouse). The only circumstance your estate would become property of the state (it's said to "escheat") is if there are absolutely no living relatives that can be located, which is extremely rare. Of course the better option is to create a last will and testament so your estate will go to who you want it to. This of course does not avoid the probate process; the property must be held in joint tenancy or even better, a living trust.

I've received a lot of calls from new clients over the past few weeks due to the current pandemic. This is a great article if you have nothing in place; however, since we are in California, I would definitely suggest having a trust over just a will in most cases.

A will is not always the best estate planning tool and here are a few reasons why. A much better tool is a living trust. Not only can a trust allow you to name a successor trustee during incapacity, but it also avoids probate when you die.

If you have put off getting your estate plan in order, now is a good time to do so.

Life has certainly changed quickly over the past few weeks, but I am still very much working and able to assist with my client's needs, albeit a bit more remotely! We are living in a time where the health all citizens is of the utmost importance, but what happens if you get sick and cannot manage your finances? This includes bank accounts, bills, retirement accounts, life insurance, legal proceedings, buying and selling property, etc. The list goes on, and this document would allow a person you name to act for you. I highly recommend having this document as part of your estate plan, and if you have questions I'd be happy to answer them for you!

Happy Presidents Day!

A will is not always the best estate planning tool and here are a few reasons why. A much better tool is a living trust. Not only can a trust allow you to name a successor trustee during incapacity, but it also avoids probate when you die.

Everyone has heard the "P" word...Probate! Here are some facts about probate and ways to avoid it.

Happy Monday! We are at the beginning of a new year and this is a post for all the parents with minor children. As a mom of two myself, I understand how we never want to think about if we were not around, but life is unpredictable and unfortunately these things happen everyday. Make your wishes known in a guardian nomination, which should be part of every estate plan where minor kids are involved.

As a new way to kick off 2020, Law Office of Tracy Nieradzik is on Instagram! Follow here to learn more about estate planning and how you can best prepare for the unplanned. Follow here: www.instagram.com/nieradziklaw

This article is interesting and food for thought. It does not mention a living trust or will specifically, which should be at the top of the list of what you leave for your loved ones during this difficult time. I would also suggest that instead of leaving it for them to "discover", be sure to tell them during life where the documents are.

This is so true...and I would add one more, which is that parents with minor children don't think anything could happen to both of them. But it does happen and it would be wise to include a nomination of guardian for your minor kids until they are 18, which I include as part of an estate plan if there are minor children.

Happy New Year! Now that the holidays are behind us, it is a good time to think about your current estate plan if you have one and make sure it is up to date. The years seem to fly by, and often there are changes that may need to be made to your documents, as planning goals tend to shift over time. If you don't have an estate plan, now is a great time to get things in order. Nobody is immune from life circumstances and the best thing you can do for your loved ones is to take care of documents now that may be needed during your incapacity or passing. If you have minor aged children, do you have your wishes documented should something happen to you? If you have any questions, I always offer complimentary considerations to go over what we can do. Happy 2019!

Law Office of Tracy Nieradzik is all set up! Come on by...I have free candy too.

FALSE (mostly)! I hear a lot of clients say that one of their biggest concerns is that if they pass away without some kind of estate planning that the state will take all of their assets. This is generally untrue. If you die without a will, you are said to have died "intestate" and state law controls the disposition of your assets through the probate process (typically to your children and/or spouse; intestate succession laws will determine to whom it passes if you leave n...o children or spouse). The only circumstance your estate would become property of the state (it's said to "escheat") is if there are absolutely no living relatives that can be located, which is extremely rare. Of course the better option is to create a last will and testament so your estate will go to who you want it to. This of course does not avoid the probate process; the property must be held in joint tenancy or even better, a living trust.

Happy 2018! It's a New Year...have you updated (or even created) your estate plan? This is the best way to plan for any period of incapacity as well as avoiding probate at the time of your death, which is expensive and time consuming. Now is a great time to take a look at what you currently do or do not have in place and how we can ensure peace of mind for you and your loved ones should the unforeseeable happen. Because this is so important, I'm now offering a 10% off full estate plans through the end of February 2018 (however you must mention this offer). I look forward to speaking with you about your estate planning needs.