Estate Planning in Decline: New Data Shows a Concerning Trend
According to Caring.com’s 2025 Wills Survey, the number of Americans with a Will continues to decline. In 2025, only 24% of adults reported having a Will—down from 33% in 2022. Even more concerning is the fact that Americans with children under 18 make up the largest group without any estate planning documents in place. Despite this decline, those who do have a will are increasingly proactive, with most updates made in the last five years. Many cite life events like family expansion or a change in assets as reasons for revisiting their estate plan. Additionally, the long shadow of the COVID-19 ... Read More
Essential Estate Planning Documents for College-Bound Students
Sending your child to college is an exciting time filled with new opportunities and challenges. While you're busy helping them pack and preparing for the transition, it's crucial to consider their well-being and future security. As a parent in California, ensuring your college-bound student has the proper estate planning documents in place is a responsible step that can provide both of you with peace of mind. Once your child turns eighteen in California, they become an adult, and your right to make medical and financial decisions as well as gain access to their information terminates. Here is what can be ... Read More
If the Beneficiary Has Passed On, Who Ends up With the Inheritance?
Who will get an inheritance if the beneficiary is deceased? We call this "what if" planning and it is a critical part of the estate planning process. You may be wondering whether if you leave property to your brother Jim, but he dies before you, would his kids inherit the property in his place? The answer is, only if your living trust or will explicitly states as much. To ensure your document is correct, it's best to say so specifically in various particular ways. The surest way is to word your will or trust like this: “To my brother Jim, ... Read More
