Author: Patricia De Fonte – Estate Planning Attorney

Let’s take a minute and define both “will” and “trust”: Will. A will is a written document that is signed and witnessed. A will is considered a “death” document as it only goes into effect when you die. A will: – Provides for the distribution of assets owned by you, but not assets directed to…

There is a common misconception that estate plans are only for the ultra-rich – the top 1 percent, 10%, 20%, or some other arbitrary determination of “enough” money. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. People at all income and wealth levels can benefit from a comprehensive estate plan. Sadly, many have not…

So many children I love have graduated from high school this year. As they go off to college or traveling or starting their first full time job, I sound like a broken record: Make sure you give people you trust permission to take care of you and directions on how to do that for you!…

Estate planning is more than filling out a form and then signing some papers. I talk to all of my clients who are pet owners about their wishes for their fat cats and sleek dogs and long living turtles and snakes. Maybe your sister will take the parakeets, but will she be able to afford…

Congratulations on the purchase of your new home. Whether this is your first home or an upgrade/downsize, the purchasing of a home is a big event in your life. When these major life changes occur, it is important that you are properly prepared. Below are a few things for you to consider now that you…

I got a call a few weeks ago from someone who I thought was a potential client. But his financial advisor had told him to make sure his parents had a revocable trust for their home in San Francisco, and incapacity planning in place to ensure that he knows how, and would have the legal…

Who Do You Love? Who Do You Trust? I ask every client “Who do you love. Who you do trust.” Initially, no one knows how to respond to these questions. Everyone wants to talk about who will receive their assets. That is not why I ask. The people we love and trust, the people who…

Advice columnist Ann Landers once observed that “love is friendship that has caught fire.” If that’s true, there are thousands of ways for that blaze to unfold. For many Americans, such devotion and passion do not need to be neatly formalized as marriage. In fact, our cultural norms are shifting, and quickly. Consider the following:…

In light of the current pandemic, many Americans are becoming aware of the importance of creating or updating their estate planning documents. With the extension of some states’ stay in place orders, it may be tempting to create your own documents all on your own. Whether you are considering writing your own will or using…