8 ASSETS THAT AVOID PROBATE

February 22, 2012 Comments Off on 8 ASSETS THAT AVOID PROBATE

by: Raymond Sheffield Avoiding Probate is often a key goal for clients in their estate planning. This article will give you eight examples of property that passes directly to your beneficiaries without the need for probate. 1. Property Passing Outright to the Surviving Spouse California has a very simple probate procedure for property that passes […]

SMALL ESTATE AMOUNT INCREASED TO $150,000

January 2, 2012 Comments Off on SMALL ESTATE AMOUNT INCREASED TO $150,000

b:y Raymond Sheffield The State of California has increased the amount that may pass through the Small Estate procedure by affidavit. The amount is now $150,000. This is a much needed increase from $100,000 previously. (more…)

MARKETING MONDAY HAS ARRIVED!

August 1, 2011 Comments Off on MARKETING MONDAY HAS ARRIVED!

Many of the advisor’s we work with have asked us to blog about marketing issues. Of course, they don’t put it quite like that. They ask questions on how to take care of clients, how to get new clients, and how to network. They want to know why we did our Boot Camps and were […]

Almaden Valley Principal Wins National Award

July 1, 2011 Comments Off on Almaden Valley Principal Wins National Award

Liz Chamberlin, Principal of Leland High School in the Almaden Valley is the years top principal according to the National Forensics League (Speech & Debate). I am proud to say that I was a member of the Speech & Debate team at Leland when I was in high school. (I even won a couple of […]

Eight Suggestions Every Parent Should Examine To Make Sure Their Estate Planning Is Up To Date

June 12, 2011 Comments Off on Eight Suggestions Every Parent Should Examine To Make Sure Their Estate Planning Is Up To Date

It’s All My Kids Fault 🙂 A recent article in the San Jose Mercury News suggested that young children may make parents less fit. As many of you know, my wife and I adopted two young girls from Russia a few years ago. They are 5 & 4 now. And I am out of shape. […]

Santa Clara Alum Wins First Trial

June 2, 2011 Comments Off on Santa Clara Alum Wins First Trial

My best friend from law school (Santa Clara University School of Law) was Hilary Newcomb. She is now a Trust & Estates Litigation attorney in Portland, OR. We work with her occasionally on our client’s litigation matters in San Jose. Because her billing rate is lower, it saves our clients money. Yesterday, she won her […]

Help Choosing a Guardian for your Children

June 1, 2011 Comments Off on Help Choosing a Guardian for your Children

Choosing a qualified Guardian for your children is one of the most difficult things my clients ever have to do. For many, they can’t do the rest of their estate planning until they resolve this issue. And then the planning doesn’t get done. Here are a few suggestions and tips to naming a Guardian for […]