"EP Wealth provides the guidance and support to execute our financial goals. Not only does she deliver excellent results, but she is always accessible when I need help or have questions."23 "He is always available to us if we have questions or concerns. "His remarkable talent lies in his uncanny ability to comprehend and adapt our portfolio to align with our evolving financial goals, both in the near term and the long term."25 We are a fairly young family, but we look forward to many years ahead working with Megan and the team at EP."31 "In an age of increasing automation, it's a gift to get to work with a responsive family asset protection with living trusts team who understands our unique need
Plan for Social Security retirement benefits Please contact a financial representative for guidance and information that is specific to your individual situation. By following these steps for retirement planning, you can create a retirement savings plan that works to help secure your financial future. Your goal for this step is to come up with a solid ballpark estimate that you can alter as your life circumstances change or you get closer to retirement age. Medicare also doesn’t start until age 65, so you’ll need to maintain private health insurance before the
Insurance products and services are offered through BWG Insurance Agency, CA State Insurance License #0M46922. Every family has different priorities, and every financial situation presents unique considerations. family asset protection with living trusts Keeping your plan current can reduce the chances of disputes and make things easier for your loved ones. DIY Legal Tools from Nolo It’s faster and cheaper than probate (typically $6,000–$8,000), but it requires legal assistance. The process takes planning, but the result is lasting peace of mind for both you and your family. You’ll need to properly "fund" it by retitling property and accounts in the trust’s name, and it’s wise to work with an attorney to make sure everything is set up correctly. They can cover most asset types, from real estate to investments, ensuring your loved ones receive what you intended with minimal disruption. A living trust is one of the most effective ways to avoid probate in Californi
If you contribute to a 401(k), its flexibility gives you choices as you go through life. The Color of Money Risk Analysis assesses your financial picture and provides a roadmap to your overall risk preferences. We can help with individual health plans to fill the gaps before Medicare when they occur. We can assist you with Medicare supplemental insurance plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Part D Prescription Drug Plans. We are here to help you with your initial Medicare needs or to review your current coverage. Individual Healthca
What Is a Revocable Trust? A pour-over will transfers the residue of a decedent’s estate to a living trust established by the decedent and that they could have revoked before death if they had chosen to do so. A pour-over will is a will that transfers any remaining estate assets to a revocable living trust at your death. Pour-over wills and trusts act in conjunction to simplify probate avoidance by ensuring that any assets not held in the trust at the time of your death will automatically "pour over" into the trust. Copyright ©2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo ® Self-help services may not be permitted in all state
Subsequent legal services begin at $295 an hour or a flat fee of $750-$3,000 for a complete estate plan. A skilled estate attorney doesn’t just prepare documents — they design a clear, enforceable plan that keeps your estate out of court and honors your wishes. Lawyers are translators, taking your intentions and turning them into legally binding documents that will stand for generation
However, if you live in a state with inheritance taxes, plan to create a trust, or have philanthropic goals, your estate plan could be more specialized and benefit from professional guidance. Discuss your wishes with the person you select, and make sure you choose someone you trust to follow them. A health care proxy agent is the individual you designate to make decisions about your medical care if you're unable to do so. Be sure your selected guardians understand their potential responsibilities and can handle them. A guardian is responsible for raising your children to adulthood if both you and the children's other parent are deceased. If you have a Vanguard account, you can log in to review or update your beneficiaries. Create a will Estate planning isn't just about creating a will; it encompasses a wide range of tools and strategies to safeguard your financial legacy and provide peace of mind. Dying without a will can also create added anxiety for your family during a time of grief. If you die without a will (known as dying intestate), the state decides how to distribute your assets—and it’s usually based on your next of kin. For a simple estate, you can use reputable online platforms to create basic documents like a will or power of attorney. To make things easier for your executor and family members, it’s a good idea to gather and store important documents in one safe location. In most states, it’s fairly easy to create a will without a lawyer using state forms or online will maker sites. Discuss your plan with your family "If you have a house or a 401(k), you are a person with assets. That means three out of four adults are leaving their loved ones with uncertainty and potential legal headaches during an already painful time. Of critical importance to any person considering making a donation to MS GIFT is the fact that any such donation is an irrevocable contribution. While we believe that MS GIFT provides a valuable philanthropic opportunity, contributions to MS GIFT are not appropriate for everyone. Consider prepaying or prearranging funeral or memorial services—this can help relieve the burden on your family after you’ve passed. These designations can override your will, so it’s important to family asset protection with living trusts check them regularly and keep them up to date. It can offer clarity and comfort to your family if you’re no longer able to process information or communicate your wishes. A living will may include your preferences relating to resuscitation, defibrillators, feeding tubes, and/or life support. You can have multiple POAs with the same person as agent or different people, depending on what you prefe