Helene P.Dreyer Koch is an estate planning attorney in Indian Wells, California, focusing on Wills, Trusts and Probate. She is also a skilled legal writer and dynamic public speaker. (760) 360-2400.
Tag Archives: estate planning
Top 10 Mistakes People Make in Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts: # 10 – Failure to Plan for Liquidity
Failure to Plan for Liquidity is a common error. This mistake can occur regardless whether you’ve made a Will or estate plan, and even if you have a trust. For example: → You want to keep your vacation home available … Continue reading
Posted in Consider This, Trusts, Wills
Tagged estate planning, estate planning mistakes, trust, trust mistakes, will
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What to Expect When You See a Lawyer About Estate Planning (Part Two)
What Happens in the Estate Planning Process After the Initial Consultation. Different lawyers conduct estate planning in different ways. Part One of this post topic explored the initial consultation. This post discusses what happens after that consultation. The basic phases … Continue reading
Posted in Consider This, Trusts, Wills
Tagged estate planning, estate planning consultation, part two, probate, trust, what to expect, will
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What to Expect When You See a Lawyer About Estate Planning (Part One)
What Happens When You See a Lawyer About Estate Planning? The basic phases of estate plan creation are: initial consultation; information gathering and planning; drafting; review; and signing. Afterward, there are funding steps and there should be ongoing review and … Continue reading
Posted in Consider This, Trusts, Wills
Tagged estate planning, estate planning consultation, probate, trust, what to expect, will
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What I Love About Estate Planning
Estate planning is my favorite area of law. I’ve been a lawyer for more than twenty years and have practiced in several areas of law, including trial work, divorce, public agency law, real estate, business formation, transactions, and appeals. I … Continue reading
Posted in Consider This
Tagged attorney, consultation, estate planning, lawyer, probate, trust, will
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How to Plan for My Pet After I Die
Estate Planning for My Pet There are many options for planning for your pets after you die. The only option you don’t have is to direct that your pet be immediately put down. Believe it or not, some people ask … Continue reading
Posted in Consider This, Trusts, Wills
Tagged estate planning, name my pet in my will, pet planning, pet trust, will
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What is an Advance Healthcare Directive, a Power of Attorney for Healthcare, and a Living Will, and what’s the difference between them?
These documents generally refer to medical decision-making, especially end-of-life decisions. The document name sometimes varies by state, which is why there are so many terms. In California, it’s usually called an “Advance Healthcare Directive”, which generally means the same thing … Continue reading
Posted in Healthcare Power of Attorney
Tagged estate planning, funeral mortuary burial, will
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Why Do I Need a Will If I Have a Trust?
Having a Will even if you have a Trust is like having a safety net. It is very common for people to accidentally leave something out of their Trust. A good example is the home. People buy a new home, … Continue reading
Posted in Trusts, Wills
Tagged estate planning, inheritance, last will and testament, probate, trust
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What is Probate Court?
Probate is a division of the County Superior Court. The court system in California begins with county level “trial courts.” These are the courts most familiar to people. This is where trials occur, jury service is performed, divorces are granted, … Continue reading
Posted in Probate Court - Overview
Tagged estate planning, Judge, last will and testament, probate, Probate Court
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Top 4 “MUST HAVE” Estate Planning Documents
Estate Planning Everyone Should Have Estate Planning is about Life. It’s about security for those you love. It’s protection for yourself, if you become incapacitated. It’s a tool for creating a legacy or preserving a heritage. It’s a means … Continue reading
A Great Inheritance Quote
One of my favorite quotes about what to leave to the next generation comes from reknown businessman and philanthorpist, Warren Buffet: I want to leave my children enough that they feel they can do ANYTHING… but not so much that they … Continue reading
Posted in Consider This
Tagged estate planning, funeral mortuary burial, heir, Heiress, inheritance, quotations, Warren Buffet, will
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