Let’s start with the truth: estate planning is family work. It answers three core questions in plain English: What about me? Who protects my health, finances, and dignity if I can’t? Who has the keys, medical, financial, and digital, and how do they use them? What about my stuff? How do I avoid probate and…
Independent Trustees in Revocable Trusts for Doctors & Lawyers: Continuity Without Conflicts If your estate plan named a loved one as your successor trustee and agent under a power of attorney without also giving them the ability to appoint an independent special trustee, your medical or legal practice could suffer. Even if they could “figure…
Real estate is the biggest area of confusion for my clients. Deeds are hard to understand; the underlying laws are even worse! A home represents security, stability, and legacy – but most people are not taking steps to protect their biggest and most important asset. When estate planning is not done the right way, property…
Art is more than a creation — it’s a complex web of rights, revenue streams, and decisions that will outlive the artist. As an estate planning attorney in California who works with artists, musicians, authors, and other creatives, I know that protecting intellectual property takes more than a standard trust or will. Before obtaining a…
At De Fonte Law PC, we offer something rare: Estate Planning With Heart®. Our team provides high-touch, highly personalized estate plans that reflect your values, protect your loved ones, and actually work when you need them most. If you’re thinking about creating or updating your estate plan—or you’re a financial advisor, CPA, or attorney looking…
When I got married twenty years ago, I did not give law, insurance, or money any thought at all. I had hearts in my eyes and was so excited to have found my person. We were lawyers, and we didn’t talk to a lawyer, an insurance broker, or a financial advisor. We just got amazing…
Every year, when Pride month rolls around, I find myself grateful. My brother and I grew up in a place where people would roll down their windows and yell “F*****G” at my brother. I worried about his safety all the time, and this worry made me aggressive and over-protective in the extreme at times. When my brother…
If you’re a green card holder living in California, it is essential to understand how your immigration status affects your estate planning. U.S. laws around taxes, trusts, and inheritance are likely different from the laws in your home country, and failing to plan properly can lead to costly legal and tax consequences. In any country,…
Most people think estate planning is for married couples, but single people need estate plans just as much—if not more. Without a plan, the courts—not you—will decide who manages your finances, who receives your assets, and even who makes medical decisions for you. Whether you are a single professional, divorced, widowed, or a single parent,…
You just slip out the back, Jack Make a new plan, Stan You don’t need to be coy, Roy Just get yourself free Hop on the bus, Gus You don’t need to discuss much Just drop off the key, Lee Whether the divorce is a knockdown, drag-out fight to the end or a conscious…