Category Archives: Trusts

Reducing Tax Burden for 2018 Part 2

Part 2 in a 2-Part Series   Last year (at the end of 2018), we wrote about how to reduce the Taxable Income of Irrevocable Trusts. Click here to reference that blog. This week, we conclude our two-part series by discussing other strategies you may wish to employ before seeing your accountant in 2019. Under federal […]

End the Year Trust-Based Estate Planning

Trust Based Estate Planning Glendora Upland Skvarna Law

Trust-Based Estate Planning As you know, tax returns for 2017 were due on October 15, 2018. The end of the year is quickly approaching. So, maybe you’re ahead of the game and have already started gathering data to file for 2018? But if you live in the real world like the rest of us, you […]

Estate Planning Checklist for 2019

Estate Planning Checklist

As the end of the year approaches consider the changes you may need to make to your estate plan. Have you gotten married or divorced over the past year? Perhaps you’ve welcomed a new child or grandchild? Or has your health changed? So much can happen in a year, it’s important not to let too […]

5 Reasons to Protect Your Retirement Accounts Now

Wealth Protection

Your retirement account provides good asset protection. However, as soon as you pass that account to a loved one, the associated protection evaporates. This means that just one lawsuit can make the entire thing disappear! If this occurs, your life-long, hard-earned savings could be wiped out, leaving your heirs penniless. But, never fear. Your estate […]

Fall Estate Planning Checklist

Estate Planning Taxes 2019

With several months left before the new year, fall is the perfect time to review your estate planning affairs. Below is a checklist to ensure your planning meets your needs and is up-to-date: When did you last update your Power of Attorney (POA)? A valuable legal document, no matter what the circumstance A POA is […]

Legal Strategies for Scary Times

Personal Estate Legal Plans Advice Chart

A poor health diagnosis or need for major surgery can disrupt your day-to-day life. So, estate plans are likely far from top-of-mind. Despite the fact you have much to contend with due to such taxing demands, it’s crucial to consider estate plans in times of change. In fact, proactive planning can ease you and your […]

10 Estate Planning Tips for Furry Family Members

Estate Planning Glendora Upland

In Honor of National Dog Day, 10 Crucial Insights for Protecting Furry Family Members Americans love pets. In fact, the American Pet Products Association estimates that in 2017, pet owners spent more than $69 billion on their dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and other domestic animals. The money spent isn’t just for pampering the pets. It also […]

A Trust May Be The Best Option for Avoiding Probate

Ambrose Bierce once observed, “Death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate.” Dark as his comment was, it is true. Ideally, when someone dies, estate attorneys process the paperwork and material concerns associated with the estate flawlessly. This allows the family to grieve and remember their loved one in peace. In […]

The California Probate Law Process

With probate court, the rules and processes differ depending on the residency state of the deceased. It’s important to understand the state-specific rules, which is why you need an experienced legal advisor. Skvarna Law Firm operates within California and understands the nuances between the different states. This post discusses probate law specific to probate law.

Probate Disasters: Celebrity Lessons

With wealth accumulated by the rich and famous, most of us would assume that celebrities wisely take steps to protect their estates. Think again. Some of the world’s richest and most influential people have passed away without a will or a trust. Others made serious mistakes that tied up their fortunes for years. For example, […]