Dennis Fordham law office | Blog | Lakeport, California

Health Education Maintenance and Support Distributions

Many trusts say that “income” and/or “principal” are distributed for the beneficiary’s “Health, Education, Support and Maintenance” (“HEMS”). Why is the HEMS standard used, what does it mean, and how is it applied and enforced? The HEMS standard is an “ascertainable standard”. It is an objective (measurable) standard. A non-ascertainable distribution standard – e.g., distributions for beneficiary’s comfort and happiness – is not measurable because distributions are measured by the beneficiary’s personal wishes. Using the HEMS standard helps protect trust assets from creditors of the beneficiary, […]

posted on: August 14, 2021

Joint Tenancy Law & Property Tax Reassessment

In California, the yearly increase in the assessed value of real property cannot exceed two-percent (Proposition 13). Thus, when after many years under Proposition 13, a reassessment to current fair market values occurs it can cause a dramatic increase in real property taxes. Reassessments are a result of a “Change in Ownership” (sections 60, […]

posted on: July 14, 2021

The Versatile Power of Attorney

Having a broadly drafted power of attorney can enable an agent to act in a representative capacity in a multitude of situations. If authorized, the agent can act to provide for the principal’s personal care, manage the principal’s assets, engage in estate planning, support dependents, make gifts (such as to qualify for Medi-Cal), and more. […]

posted on: July 14, 2021

Determining Incapacity for Trusts and Powers of Attorney.

A person’s incapacity to manage their own financial, property, legal and health care decisions often authorizes the following person(s), as relevant, to act in a representative capacity: The successor trustee, and agent(s) under powers of attorney for finances, property and legal affairs and advance health care directives. Estate planning allows a person the opportunity […]

posted on: June 16, 2021

Life Estates

Lifetime gifting of property is an approach to estate planning that has its place under the right circumstances. Lifetime gifting can either be outright or subject to a retained interest by the donor. An owner of real property, who owns their property free and clear, can deed (gift) their real property to another and still […]

posted on: June 3, 2021

Retitling Publicly Traded Securities

Retitling publicly traded securities (registered stocks or bonds) is often a necessary part of estate planning and administration. When a person establishes a living trust, their securities are often transferred into the name of the trustee. When a person dies owning securities in their name and a probate is required the securities are transferred […]

posted on: May 19, 2021

Why You Still Need a Will.

My appreciation of the importance of having a will has been reinforced by recent experiences. Even if you have a trust you still need a will. A will speaks at death to who inherits assets, other than non-probate assets including assets held in a trust. Without a will the laws of intestate succession apply to […]

posted on: May 8, 2021

Estate Administration and Court Proceedings

In California, administering a deceased person’s estate often requires a petition to the superior court in the proper county (venue). Let us discuss how to determine the proper county and who has standing to file a petition. We consider the petition for probate, the petition for succession to property in a small estate, the […]

posted on: April 26, 2021

Testamentary Capacity to Execute a Will

In California, “an individual 18 or more years of age who is of sound mind may make a will”. California law presumes that a person has testamentary capacity to execute a will. However, a person does not have a sound mind – and so cannot execute a will — if he or she fails […]

posted on: March 31, 2021

Estate planning | The importance of an attorney

When making an estate plan, it is important to ensure that everything is done in accordance with the law. An effective estate plan will help ensure that your assets are managed efficiently and according to your wishes. Skilled Lakeport CA estate planning lawyers can help you develop an estate plan that is specific to your […]

posted on: March 26, 2021

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