If you haven’t watched HBO’s series “Succession” yet, it revolves around a family that owns a media conglomerate. The show delves into the power struggles among family members as they vie for control of the family business while also grappling with their patriarch’s failing health. These themes resonate with the everyday challenges we’ve seen at…
The world of money management is a jungle, so it only makes sense that you would build an ecosystem of advisors to ensure your financial and investment planning stays on track. A professional fiduciary is a key player in this arrangement and can support you in everything from day-to-day money management to acting as your…
As our loved ones age, it’s important that they have a thoughtful plan in place for both care and finances, before they develop dementia or otherwise become incapacitated. In California, complete estate plans include an Advanced Health Care Directive (AHCD) and durable power of attorney (POA). While immediate health care decisions are typically delegated to…
Meet Barbara Liss, The Artist Some of you know as her as our esteemed colleague, many of you know her as a beloved part of the Santa Barbara estate planning community, and now we would like to introduce her to you as an artist. As Barbara advances toward complete retirement from the fiduciary services field…
Elderly Americans are too often the targets of financial scams. Although people of any age may become victims of fraud, scammers often specifically target seniors because they are frequently more trusting and may not be as cognitively aware as younger people. Whether the fraudsters enact their schemes via phone, email, or in person, it’s important…
As we head deeper into 2023, now is the time to reflect on the past year, and to set aspirations for the year ahead. This time around, however, instead of making the same old weight loss, exercise, or eating healthy resolutions, focus on a resolution committed to safeguarding your personal and financial affairs. This year,…
If you have a trust, you need to prepare for all possibilities—this means naming a successor trustee who would take over the management of the trust if the original trustee were to become incapable, whether due to death, incapacity, or any other reason. Choosing a successor trustee is a difficult decision for many people. However,…
It’s officially November, which means—like it or not—the holiday season has begun. Garland will soon dress every storefront, ornaments are already being hung, and every shopping mall in America has hit ‘play’ on an endless list of catchy carols to carry you through the season. For many, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.…
Until recently, Anne Heche was an Emmy award-winning actress best known for her roles in such blockbusters as Donnie Brasco and I Know What You Did Last Summer. However, after a tragic car accident took her life in August 2022, it’s her estate that has made its way into the headlines. The biggest estate planning…
Choosing the right person to manage your affairs when you die or if you become incapacitated isn’t easy. It can be even more challenging if you aren’t married and don’t have appropriate family members available to step in. Your parents, children or siblings may either not be available, or not the right fit. Or maybe…
