Estate Planning Archives - Weissler Law Group

Beyond Marriage Protection: How Pre-Marital Agreements Enhance Your Estate Plan

Posted on March 28, 2025

As an estate planning lawyer in San Diego, I often see couples who view financial agreements made before marriage solely as divorce protection. These agreements are known as prenuptial, ante nuptial or pre-marital agreements. A well-crafted pre-marital can be a powerful estate planning tool that helps protect both spouses and their children,...

Downsizing with Your Children’s Inheritance in Mind: Advice from a San Diego Elder Lawyer

Posted on March 22, 2025

As an elder lawyer in San Diego, I've noticed a recurring theme when helping families navigate the downsizing process. Parents often struggle to part with possessions because they hope to pass them down to their children. Yet when meeting with adult children after their parents' passing, we frequently hear a different perspective:...

Will Your Family Business Survive the Future? Succession Planning Considerations from an Estate Lawyer in San Diego

Posted on March 13, 2025

As a San Diego estate lawyer, I've seen many family businesses flourish across generations. Unfortunately, I've also witnessed others falter during transition, not because of market conditions or competition, but due to inadequate succession planning. The hard truth? Sometimes the biggest threats to your business legacy come from within the family itself.

Joint Accounts vs. Power of Attorney: Making the Right Choice for Your Future

Posted on March 6, 2025

While meeting with clients, as a San Diego estate planning lawyer, I often hear this question: "Should I add my family member to my accounts as a joint owner, or set up a Power of Attorney?" While adding a joint owner might seem like the simpler solution, the answer isn't as straightforward...

Smart Gifting: A San Diego Estate Lawyer’s Guide to Supporting Your Grandchildren’s Future

Posted on February 28, 2025

As a San Diego estate lawyer, I often meet grandparents who want to provide financial support for their grandchildren while ensuring their generosity doesn't inadvertently create complications. Whether you're thinking about college funding or creating a lasting financial legacy, strategic planning can help maximize your gift's impact. Understanding the...

Making a Change: Working with a New San Diego Estate Planning Lawyer

Posted on February 21, 2025

Many of us hesitate to change professional relationships, especially when it comes to legal matters. As a San Diego estate planning lawyer, I often meet people who have become estate planning orphans. Perhaps their original attorney has retired, passed away or you never really connected with them, moving to a new attorney...

Right-Sizing Your Trust: A San Diego Trust Lawyer Explains What Really Matters

Posted on February 13, 2025

One of the most frequent questions I hear as a San Diego trust lawyer is, "Is my estate large enough to justify a living trust?" Behind this question often lies a deeper concern: "Am I making the right choice for my family's future?" Let me share something that might surprise you –...

Beware These Estate Scams: A San Diego Probate Lawyer’s Guide to Protecting Grieving Families

Posted on February 7, 2025

As a San Diego probate lawyer, I've witnessed firsthand how scammers exploit families during their most vulnerable moments. The days and weeks following a loved one's passing should be a time for healing and remembrance – not defending against fraud. Let me share some crucial insights to help protect your family during...

Trust Mills: Why Mass-Produced Estate Planning Could Put Your Family at Risk

Posted on January 30, 2025

As a San Diego trust lawyer, I often meet families who've been targeted by aggressive marketing from what's known as a "trust mill." These clients usually come to us worried, clutching generic trust documents that are barely worth the paper they're printed on. While the low prices might have been attractive initially,...

San Diego Estate Lawyer Explains: Your Inherited IRA May Be at Risk

Posted on January 23, 2025

You've carefully built your retirement savings over decades, but did you know that once inherited, these accounts could be vulnerable to creditors? As a San Diego estate lawyer with experience in asset protection planning, I've seen too many families surprised when inherited retirement accounts they thought were protected ended up exposed to...