The Law Offices of Neil J. Cacali Legal Blog
Caring for your pet after incapacity: Pet trusts
Not everything you do with your estate plan is going to be there for the time after your death. Some aspects of your estate plan will be there to protect you and those you care about during your lifetime. One such aspect of your estate plan may be a pet trust. If you...
Top reasons to update your estate plan
Deciding what will become of your estate when you pass on is important. And this is where an estate comes in. Despite its fancy name, an estate plan is not just a reserve for the rich and famous. Whatever you have in your name is your estate. But, an estate plan is...
Why you might need to discuss your estate plans this holiday season
When you think of family gatherings over the winter holidays, you think of big meals, football games on the TV and homemade cookies from recipes passed down over several generations. What you don’t often think of is using this gathering of the clan to discuss one’s...
Tips on preventing a will contest
By creating a will as part of your estate plan, you are putting down your last wishes regarding your assets and property distribution. However, all that careful planning and thought could be futile if someone successfully contests your will. In addition, a will...
How to pass on your intellectual property along with your estate
There are a variety of creative types here in Southern California. This includes actors, inventors, painters, musicians and authors and everything in between. Many of these individuals possess intellectual property (IP) rights. People pass on assets, such as homes,...
Do you need contingent beneficiaries for your estate?
Deciding who will receive your assets when you pass away is a big part of estate planning. While some of your bequeathments will, no doubt, be handled through your will, you may have to name a beneficiary to receive certain other assets -- like your life insurance...
Avoid probate with these simple estate planning tips
Like every loving parent, you definitely want to pass on a little something to your children or the people you care about. You save to make life a little easier for the people you love. The last thing you want is to have a portion of your hard-earned money going to...
There are two types of child custody
When you and your spouse opt to get a divorce, your first conversation will likely be about the children. Who gets custody? How are you going to make decisions if you can't agree on something? How will you both stay involved in their lives? The general idea of...
Who receives your property if you die without an estate plan?
When you create an estate plan , you will likely detail very carefully whom you want to receive your various assets. Some people will continue to update their plans every few years for the rest of their lives just to make certain that they retain total control over...
Divorce often demands a timely update to your estate plan
Almost everything about your family changes when you divorce, which means that your estate plan needs may also shift. Although probate judges may recognize the inaccuracy of a last will that primarily benefits an ex-spouse, that is not always the case. If you...