Monthly Articles
Interpretations of AB 139: Transfer on Death Deeds (TOD)
Property Qualifications: The Transfer on Death Deed transfers “Real Property” on the death of its owner without a probate proceeding under specified rules. The definitions section of the bill defines “Real Property” to mean any of the following (1) a parcel of...
Common knee injuries from auto accidents
Knee injuries suffered due to car accidents might not be as common as back related injuries, but they are not uncommon and have the potential to be very serious and costly injuries. Knee injuries often occur as a result of head-on and side-impact collisions. The most...
Cell Phones and Car Accidents
As most Californians are aware, it is illegal in California to use handheld wireless phones and to text while driving. In regards to texting, this means you may not write, send, or read text messages, instant messages, or email. These laws apply to everyone driving in...
Common injuries suffered by children in auto accidents
According to studies done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), head injuries are the most common injuries sustained by children involved in auto accidents. Children under 1 experience a higher rate of head injuries than older children. The...
AB 139: Transfer on Death Deeds (TOD deed)
This bill, which was approved by the Governor on September 21, 2015, creates the revocable transfer on death deed. This deed transfers real property on the death of its owner without a probate proceeding under specified rules. The bill requires that an individual have...
Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act
The Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act (SCRA) further improved protections and benefits for service men and woman under the former Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act (SSCRA). The purpose behind the act is to enable servicemembers of the United States to devote their...
Options when you receive a traffic ticket
The most common types of traffic violations in California are classified as infractions and moving violations. In such cases, all that is needed to convict a person is proof that they committed the act, regardless of the driver’s intent. Some examples of these...
Importance of photographs after an accident and what to photograph
After being involved in an auto accident, one of the most important things you can do is take pictures of the vehicle, scene, and injuries. Photos can be a great source of evidence when making a personal injury claim and can be used to help determine who is truly at...
Characteristics of Drowsy and Fatigued Drivers and Warning Signs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has presented data that suggests that driver fatigue is involved in 25% of all fatal accidents. However, what is even more concerning is that experts suggest that this percentage might even be higher. This is...
Truck Accidents due to fatigue
One of the most common causes, if not the most common cause, of trucking accidents is sleep deprivation or drowsy driving. Truckers are under pressure to avoid traffic and make their deliveries on time. Truckers can also face financial pressures, which encourages them...
Brain Injuries and Auto Accidents
Brain injuries are not uncommon results of auto accidents. Brain injuries can occur as a result of forceful impact from a car accident which causes passengers to hit their heads on parts of the car such as the windshield or dashboard. Flying objects from a crash might...
How to Leave Your Home to Your Kids
Many parents want to know the best way to leave a home to their children. Before you make a plan, you should first be sure that your children actually want the property. We have seen too many parents take on unnecessary financial hardship in order to keep a home as an...
How to Ensure Your End-of-Life Wishes Are Respected
How do you want to die? Do you want lifesaving treatments to be administered even if all brain activity has ceased? Is your family aware of your wishes? And perhaps the more important question, is your doctor aware of your wishes? Included in a complete estate plan is...
The Conversation You Must Have About Your Healthcare
Every single adult needs to have an advance health care directive written, signed and in place. This includes your children, as soon as they turn 18. This includes you. This includes your parents. Without an advance health care directive in place, you would not be...
What You Can Learn about Estate Planning from Three-time NYC Mayor Ed Koch’s Will
Three-time New York City Mayor Ed Koch died on Feb. 1, leaving an estate estimated between $10-$11 million. And it’s a good thing that “Hizzoner” loved governing, because one-quarter of his estate will be going to the state and federal governments. During his tenure...
Striking a Balance Between Saving for Your Retirement and Your Child’s Education Final
Many parents perceive a conflict between funding a child’s college education and building their own retirement nest egg. The conflict usually arises from the lack of financial resources to do both while funding daily living expenses, so parents become stuck between...
PoorMans Estate Planning How to Pass on Property and Avoid Probate
The Risks of Poorman’s Estate Planning: How to Pass on Property & Avoid Probate the Right Way They call it the “poor man’s estate planning.” Put your child on the title to your deed and avoid probate. Yet this “poor man’s” planning often ends up, well, poorly;...
Congratulations! It’s an Estate Plan! Protecting Your Newborn From Birth
In the process of becoming new parents, many couples become experts at planning – scheduling the birthing classes, planning the new nursery, even picking out a preschool. There is so much to think about before you welcome your new child. Unfortunately, one of the most...
Estate Planning Lessons from Downton Abbey
What We Can Learn From Downton Abbey About Estate Planning Downton Abbey – the PBS drama about the fortunes and misfortunes of an aristocratic British family in the early 20th century that has taken American audiences by storm – gets most of its gripping plot twists...
New Social Security Rules and Services for 2013
There have been a number of new rules and services implemented by the Social Security Administration for 2013 that affect a majority of American workers as well as retirees: Expiration of the payroll tax cut. Workers may have already noticed the hit their paychecks...
Difference Between a Will Plan and Trust Plan
What is the Difference Between a Will-based plan and a Trust-based plan? In this article I will explain the difference between a Will-based plan and a Trust-based plan so you can make an educated decision for your family about what is best for you and, ultimately, for...
Tips to Help You Reboot Your Retirement Plan
Planning for a long and prosperous retirement is no longer just about the money; because of the recession, boomers are needing to reboot their retirement plans. Here are six tips to get you on the right track again: 1. Get healthy. This should take priority even over...
No More Reasons for Delay in Implementing These 5 Estate Planning Essentials
Last year’s uncertainty about the future of the estate and gift tax caused many people to put their estate planning on hold, even though estate and gift tax planning is only a teeny tiny piece of estate planning. Now that the clouds have lifted and Congress has given...
Holidays a Perfect Opportunity to Check Up on Aging Parents
The holidays are a traditional time for multiple generations to gather together, and are also a perfect opportunity for adult children to perform a reality check on how their aging parents are doing health-wise as well as assess financial and medical planning issues....
How to Pass On Family Heirlooms Without Causing a Family Feud
The holidays are traditionally the time for family gatherings, where generations come together and perform holiday rituals that have been passed down through the years. Part of those rituals includes material possessions – a well-worn set of silver at the holiday...
The Fiscal Cliff Tax Deal – For Most of Us, It’s a Wash
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 that Congress passed on New Year's Day extended the Bush era tax cuts, but the benefits of those cuts for most American taxpayers will be offset by a 2% increase in payroll tax. According to the Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan...
How to Talk to a Loved One About EP
How to Talk to a Loved One About Estate Planning Estate planning rarely comes up in the course of regular conversation and if it does, it is usually involves what has happened to a celebrity’s fortune after his or her death. The distance is safe, so the conversation...
Family Wealth Inventory & Assessment Worksheet
The Family Wealth Inventory and Assessment is designed to help you focus in on the important information and questions that are necessary to get your legal and financial house in order. We ask you to fill it out and return it to us in advance of our appointment so...
Our Planning Process
We know, beginning your estate plan is a big step. So our process is designed to ensure your confidence in the planning process each step of the way. Every decision is carefully reviewed with you and yet the entire process doesn't stretch out beyond 8 weeks, so you...
How to Get Started
By now you've seen that Calwilltrusts is something special and because you love your family, you know your family deserves the kind of protection, guidance and love we provide for a lifetime. It's important that you know how we work because we do things a bit...
Getting Started: Why Work with Calwillstrusts
Before Hiring an Estate Planning Lawyer Understand the Difference Many estate planning attorneys take a "one-size fits all" approach with their clients; they do this so that they can work with as many people as possible in a short period of time. The problem is that...
Planning for the Lifetime Care of Your Children
Having A Will Simply Does Not Ensure the Care of Your Kids If the Unthinkable Happens! If you are a parent of children who are counting on you, your estate plan must begin with ensuring your children would always be taken care of by the people you want, in the way you...
Leaving a Real Legacy – Who You Are & What’s Important to You
How We Guide You to Leave a Legacy That’s About Much More Than Just Your Money After you are gone, your loved ones will miss you deeply. They will long for your words of counsel and concern. Hearing your voice again would be a tremendous gift. Through our unique...
Planning for Life
At most estate planning law firms the relationship ends when you sign your documents. At PETER STONE we see the signing your estate planning documents as the beginning of our relationship with your family.
Over time, your assets will change; your family may change; we know for sure that the law will change. Your plan must accommodate all of these changes in order to make sure your plan works when your family needs it the most. If your plan is not properly updated over time, your documents become worthless… worth no more than the paper they were printed on. And the costs of failing to update are typically far greater than keeping your plan current.
Three Levels of Planning
Estate planning at PETER ROBERT STONE, ESQ. is not one size fits all for everyone. We offer 3 levels of planning to suit your varying needs. Our Services Our firm believes in personalized service for each and every client. Our approach is educational and proactive –...