Seth Bier · ·
There is a moment that catches a lot of parents completely off guard.
One day, your child is a minor. You handle everything. You can call the doctor, talk to the school, manage appointments, and step in whenever something comes up.
Then your child turns 18.
[Read more…] about The “My Kid Turned 18” Problem (and Why That Should Freak You Out a Little)Seth Bier · ·
Tom and Lisa sat across from me, relaxed.
“We’re good,” Tom said. “We did our estate plan years ago.”
I hear that sentence almost every week.
[Read more…] about The 3 Estate Planning Documents Everyone Thinks They Have… But Don’tSeth Bier · ·
A couple from Redondo Beach recently sat down with us and said something we hear all the time: “Do I need a Trust in California if I’m not wealthy?”
They own a home. They have retirement accounts and life insurance. They’ve raised their kids here in the South Bay. They are responsible, organized, and thoughtful people.
What they really meant was this: “We don’t want something complicated or unnecessary.”
That makes sense.
For years, Trusts have been associated with extreme wealth — celebrities, large estates, complicated tax strategies. But for most California families, that’s not what a Trust is about. Trusts are not about being rich. They are about being organized.
[Read more…] about Trusts Are Not Just for Rich PeopleSeth Bier · ·
Most people think estate planning is something you do when you’re older, or richer, or “eventually.” However, here’s the truth: estate planning isn’t really about dying. It is about what happens when life goes sideways while you’re still here. And life goes sideways more often than people realize.
[Read more…] about Estate Planning Isn’t About Death. It’s About Life Going Sideways.Scammers will use any leverage possible to separate you from your money. This includes preying upon a grandparent’s love and concern for their grandchildren. The so-called grandparent scams are among the most popular scams targeting the elderly and rely upon details gleaned from social media sites to make the call seem realistic. It’s important to recognize the signs of potential scams and understand how to guard against them. Read on to learn more.
