De Paz Law Legal Blog

For many Americans, particularly those who are middle age and older, a large percentage of their wealth is in individual retirement accounts (IRAs). They may be comprised of funds rolled over from employer-sponsored 401(k) plans as well as money they’ve contributed...

Estate planning is essential for almost all adults. It ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes when you die. It also allows you to appoint individuals to make financial and medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot. With all the components...

If you take care of a loved one with special needs, you may be wondering how to better ensure their welfare after you’re gone. Fortunately, you can consider creating a special needs trust for them. A special needs trust (SNT) is a legal tool designed to provide...

While most people think of estate planning as designating what will become of their assets when they’re gone, it can and should also involve planning for a time when you may be unable to care for – or even speak for -- yourself and need a trusted person to step in and...

Decanting a trust is a legal process through which assets from one trust are poured (transferred) into a new trust with different terms. This process allows trustees to modify or update provisions of an irrevocable trust provided that certain conditions are met. The...

The loss of a spouse is a deeply emotional experience. In addition to grieving, there are practical matters that may need to be addressed, including updating your estate plan. Among other things, an estate plan may outline how your assets will be distributed after...

Planning for a future that doesn’t even include you is an act of responsibility and love for those you’ll eventually leave behind, and it generally involves making a lot of decisions about how to safeguard your legacy. Before you decide how to go about that process,...

As you make an estate plan, one of your top goals may be to reduce the odds of a dispute between your adult children. You know that it’s possible, and maybe you’ve seen it happen in other families. You do not want your estate to drive a wedge between your children. As...

In your estate plan, you have the option to create one or more trusts. A trust can provide you with more control over how your estate is distributed after you pass away than if you only have a will. Likewise, a trust can protect your estate from facing estate taxes,...

Comprehending the differences between wills and trusts is essential when planning for the future. These two estate planning tools serve unique purposes and offer various advantages and limitations. Here, you can learn more about the differences in wills and trusts and...