These include cash, stocks, LLCs, business assets, real estate, and luxury property (such as personal aircraft or yachts). Often, a combined strategy involving both revocable and irrevocable trusts is used for optimal results. To achieve more robust asset protection, some Californians opt for irrevocable trusts, which transfer control and ownership away from the grantor. A living trust doesn’t shield assets from Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program) recovery or long-term care costs unless paired with Medi-Cal planning strategies or irrevocable trust

If giving is part of the legacy you hope to leave, our estate and wealth planning teams can help you define the most suitable approach for your family and the organizations you care about. Whether you give regularly during your lifetime or are considering a significant future gift, EP Wealth helps you explore charitable strategies that align with your values and financial priorities. Whether you’re working with an estate attorney or need a referral, our role is to provide clarity and help guide decisions with the full picture in mind. Our team helps you assess beneficiary designations, structure trusts to support long-term stewardship, and coordinate your documents with your goals. Access an Educational Partnership Many clients have clear intentions for their estate, but struggle with how to communicate those plans to their family. Today’s estates often include more than real estate or investment accounts. This includes reviewing how trusts, insurance, and liquidity planning may be used to reduce tax exposure or prepare for future ownership changes. Our charitable giving services are designed to integrate seamlessly with your broader planning strategy, in collaboration with attorneys, CPAs, and other members of your advisory team. If you’re ready to take the next step, you can find an advisor in your area to start the conversation. Every estate plan reflects a unique combination of goals, assets, and family relationship

Attend a Free Estate Planning Workshop As life circumstances change, we may need to update trust provisions to reflect new goals or financial situations. Careful selection of trust assets helps balance protection, accessibility, and tax efficiency. While revocable living trusts offer several estate planning benefits, they have limitations when it comes to asset protectio

Regardless of how much money you have, a solid estate plan helps you define your legacy goals, whether it’s providing for your family’s future, supporting a cause you’re passionate about, or another personal dream. She prides herself on being an active listener which helps clients identify their true goals and serves as a foundation for all of their planning. Our clients have saved well and care about creating a legacy with the wealth they’ve earne

Including sources of guaranteed income in a retirement plan can provide funds you can count on for the rest of your life, no matter if unexpected expenses arise in the future or how the market performs and the cost of living fluctuates. With income they livingtrustlivingwillavoidprobate.com can count on, this group says they would be less stressed about running out of money, inflation, the ups and downs of the market and paying for health care as they age. Annuities also have the potential to grow your money while also helping manage risk of loss. “Millennials” are ages 18–34. Results are based on a survey of 3,000 people conducted in February 2017 and a survey of 1,000 people conducted in May 2018. Some small business owners do not feel they have the expertise to set up a retirement plan for their employees. Business growth, protection & transf

As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordabl

Whether you’re paying off your student loans or starting a college fund, saving up for your first home or adding to your retirement cushion, we can help. Your retirement benefits are a valuable part of your compensation, so take the time to consider your options carefully. To register, we suggest you first log into the LMS system, and then proceed to the course catalog (see links below) in order to register for each session you wish to attend. You must be registered to receive the Zoom lin

You may have a caregiver in your livingtrustlivingwillavoidprobate.com life to whom you wish to bestow your gratitude by designating them as an heir in your estate plan. Your elderly loved one needs extra care, but you have to work. We can help you build a comprehensive estate plan to protect your assets from lawsuits or creditors and secure your family’s financial futur

It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it. After working hard to build your wealth, it’s important to protect your legacy and plan for what happens to your assets when you die. If you don’t choose a guardian before your death, a court will decide. Important considerations when choosing a guardian include age, health and location. If you don’t have direct family, you can name a relative, friend or charitable organization as the beneficiaries of your estate. But this type of planning is essential if you hope to ease what can be a difficult process for the people you love and to ensure that your wishes are respected. Discuss your plan with your family Small, proactive steps make a big difference. But getting your estate plan in place is an act of radical self-care and love for your family that can help you feel calm, confident and in control. In the 2025 Wills and Estate Planning Study, procrastination overwhelmingly topped the list of reasons people haven’t created a will or trust. Most people delay estate planning because they assume it’s expensive or overwhelming. “Quite frankly, everyone should have a power of attorney once they turn 18,” Sikorski says. It’s a full tool kit — a combination of documents that work together to protect your wishes and make things easier for your family. Just start at the beginning and follow the steps to create an solid estate plan. Planning ahead for livingtrustlivingwillavoidprobate.com unexpected events and future healthcare or long-term needs can help ensure your wishes are carried out and your loved ones are protected. This letter should be used to provide instructions for actions that may need to be carried out before your will is read, especially in the event that probate is necessary. Life insurance provides your loved ones with an immediate source of cash that is exempt from federal and state income tax (although it is typically subject to estate taxes