Estate Planning

Taxing Your Investments: What Law Changes Mean for Capital Gains and Dividends

Taxing Your Investments: What Law Changes Mean for Capital Gains and Dividends - Lowthorp Richards LLP

The investment landscape is shifting again with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill(OBBB)—a sweeping tax reform package that has redefined how capital gains and dividends will be taxed beginning in 2025. For investors, these changes have far-reaching consequences, especially for those looking to preserve wealth and minimize tax exposure through strategic estate planning. … Read moreTaxing Your Investments: What Law Changes Mean for Capital Gains and Dividends

Income Tax Changes in 2025: How New Laws Could Impact You

Income Tax Changes in 2025: How New Laws Could Impact You

The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) has overhauled key components of the federal tax code, including how Americans will be taxed on their income starting in 2025. These changes reflect a shift in both individual and household taxation, and understanding them now can help you make more informed financial decisions before the law … Read moreIncome Tax Changes in 2025: How New Laws Could Impact You

Estate Taxes & the One Big Beautiful Bill: What the New Tax Code Means for Your Legacy

Estate Taxes & the One Big Beautiful Bill: What the New Tax Code Means for Your Legacy - Lowthorp Richards

As 2025 unfolds, significant changes to the estate tax landscape are taking shape. With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), the federal estate tax landscape has shifted dramatically. Starting January 1, 2026, the federal estate tax exemption will increase to $15 million per individual and $30 million for married couples, indexed for … Read moreEstate Taxes & the One Big Beautiful Bill: What the New Tax Code Means for Your Legacy

Using a Pour-Over Will with Your Living Trust: Why Both May Be Necessary

Using a Pour-Over Will with Your Living Trust: Why Both May Be Necessary - Lowthorp Richards

Many people mistakenly believe that having a living trust alone is enough to ensure a seamless transfer of their assets after death. While a living trust is a powerful estate planning tool, it doesn’t always cover everything. That’s where a pour-over will comes in. When used together, these two tools can provide comprehensive protection for … Read moreUsing a Pour-Over Will with Your Living Trust: Why Both May Be Necessary

The Pros and Cons of Joint Tenancy in Estate Planning

The Pros and Cons of Joint Tenancy in Estate Planning - Lowthorp Richards

Joint tenancy is a common way for two or more people to co-own property, particularly among spouses and family members. While it may seem like a simple estate planning solution, especially because it includes the right of survivorship, this approach comes with significant pros and cons that must be carefully weighed, particularly under California law. … Read moreThe Pros and Cons of Joint Tenancy in Estate Planning

Why Updating Beneficiaries in Your Estate Plan Is More Important Than You Think

Why Updating Beneficiaries in Your Estate Plan Is More Important Than You Think - Lowthorp Richards

One of the most overlooked, but critical, aspects of estate planning is keeping beneficiary designations up to date. While your will or trust outlines how assets should be distributed, certain accounts and policies, such as life insurance and retirement funds, pass directly to the beneficiaries named on those documents, regardless of what your estate plan … Read moreWhy Updating Beneficiaries in Your Estate Plan Is More Important Than You Think

Planning for Incapacity: Why Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives Matter

Planning for Incapacity: Why Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives Matter - Lowthorp Richards

Estate planning isn’t just about what happens after you pass away. It’s also about protecting yourself, and your loved ones, if you become unable to make decisions due to illness, injury, or cognitive decline. That’s where powers of attorney and advance directives come into play. In California, these tools are critical components of a comprehensive … Read morePlanning for Incapacity: Why Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives Matter

How Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan?

How often should you update your Estate Plan - Lowthorp Richards

Creating an estate plan is an important first step toward protecting your assets and ensuring your wishes are honored. But it’s not a one-and-done task. Life changes and so should your estate plan. Outdated documents can cause confusion, conflict, and unintended outcomes when it matters most. So how often should you review and update your … Read moreHow Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan?

Should You Add Your Children to the Title of Your Home?

Should You Add Your Children to the Title of Your Home? - Lowthorp Richards

As parents plan for the future, many consider adding their children to the title of their home as a simple way to pass down property and avoid probate. While this strategy may seem convenient, it carries serious legal and financial risks that can create complications for both you and your children. Before making any changes … Read moreShould You Add Your Children to the Title of Your Home?

Can a Trust Protect Your Assets from Nursing Home Costs?

Can a Trust Protect Your Assets from Nursing Home Costs? - Lowthorp Richards

With the rising cost of long-term care, many Californians are understandably concerned about how a nursing home stay could impact their savings, home, and other hard-earned assets. One of the most commonly asked questions in estate planning is: Can a trust help protect my assets from being used to pay for nursing home care? The … Read moreCan a Trust Protect Your Assets from Nursing Home Costs?