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“I Don’t Know Where to Start”: Making Estate Planning Simpler Than You
For some people, the hesitation around estate planning has nothing to do with wealth or timing. They simply don't know what the process involves, and it sounds more complicated than they have the energy to figure out. That is a fair concern. Estate planning does...
“I Don’t Think I Need One Yet”: Why Estate Planning Isn’t Just for the Wealthy or Retired
The most common reason people give for not having an estate plan is that they just haven't gotten around to it. The second most common sounds like this: they don't think they're the right kind of person yet. Not old enough. Not wealthy enough. Not at the right stage...
Why Don’t More Americans Have an Estate Plan?
Most people know they should have an estate plan. The problem is that knowing and doing are very different things. A new survey found that 56% of American adults have no estate planning documents at all. No will, no trust, no power of attorney, nothing. And yet 73%...
Security vs. Accessibility: Finding the Right Balance for Crypto in Estate Planning
Crypto is built to be hard to get into. That's the point. No central bank, no password reset, no customer service line standing between your wallet and someone trying to break in. That same design is what makes balancing security and accessibility in crypto estate...
Probate Meets Crypto: Why Traditional Estate Plans Fall Short
For decades, estate planning has followed a familiar structure. Create a will or trust, identify assets, appoint fiduciaries, and allow the legal system to transfer ownership when the time comes. That process works reasonably well for traditional assets. Crypto...
Locked Out Forever: The Access Problem No One Plans For
Once crypto is identified, the next question is simple. Can anyone access it? For many estates, the answer is no. Knowing It Exists Is Not Enough In traditional estate administration, once an asset is identified, the process of transferring it can begin. Crypto does...
The Hidden Asset Problem: When No One Knows Your Crypto Exists
Crypto assets are designed to be private. That is part of their appeal. But in estate planning, that same privacy can become a serious problem. If no one knows your crypto exists, it may never be found, never be accessed, and never be passed on. Why Crypto Is So Easy...
When Business and Family Collide: Fair vs. Equal in Estate Planning
For many business owners, estate planning is not just about transferring wealth. It is about preserving relationships. A family business often represents decades of sacrifice, risk, and dedication. When it comes time to plan for the future, owners frequently face a...
Buy-Sell Agreements: The Estate Planning Tool Most Owners Ignore
Business owners are often meticulous about growth strategies, hiring, and revenue. But when it comes to ownership transitions, many rely on informal understandings rather than formal agreements. In reality, a properly drafted buy-sell agreement is one of the most...
The Silent Partner: Why Incapacity Planning Matters More Than Death
Business owners tend to plan for the big, dramatic moment. What happens if I die? Who takes over? How will my family be protected? Those are important questions. But there is another risk that is far more likely and often far more disruptive. Incapacity. Unlike death,...
Succession Is Not Assumed: Planning for Who Takes Over
Every business has a leader. Someone who makes the final call, signs the checks, resolves disputes, and sets direction. For many companies, that leadership has been consistent for years, sometimes decades. What is often less clear is what happens when that leadership...
What Happens to Your Business If Something Happens to You?
Why Estate Planning Is a Business Decision, Not Just a Personal One Every business has a rhythm. Decisions are made quickly, employees know who to turn to, clients trust the name on the door. For many owners, that rhythm depends on one constant presence: you. But life...
No Will, No Control: The Legal Aftermath for Amy Winehouse and Jimi Hendrix
As we’ve seen throughout this series, dying without a will or trust doesn’t just affect the ultra-wealthy, it affects anyone with assets, family, or a legacy to protect. In this final installment of our series on the laws of intestacy, we look at two celebrated...
John H. Howard of Ojai, who led lawsuit against Golden State Water, named California’s top trial attorney of the year
OJAI, California – John H. Howard, an Ojai resident and personal injury attorney with the law firm Lowthorp Richards, LLP, has been named trial lawyer of the year by the California Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (CAL-ABOTA). Howard was lead counsel...
F. “Ted” Muegenburg, Jr. named Lowthorp Richards estate planning chair
OXNARD, California – F. “Ted” Muegenburg, Jr., an attorney with deep roots in Ventura County and vast expertise in business, estate planning, and tax law, has been named chair for the Lowthorp Richards, LLP Estate Planning Practice Group. He is one of 1,300 California...
NOTE: The information contained herein is not intended to be legal advice and the reader should know that no Attorney-Client relationship or privilege is formed by the posting or reading of this article which is also not intended to solicit business.
Cristian R. Arrieta, Lowthorp Richards, LLP, A Professional Corporation, 300 E. Esplanade Drive, Suite 850, Oxnard, CA 93036