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The entire staff of Shasta Legacy Law Center took the afternoon off yesterday to watch the Super Bowl.  What an exciting game that was! We also voted on best commercial. 

What should be done ahead of time, if family members do not get along? The issue of blended families and dealing with trust issues while estate planning, was recently discussed in a Market Watch advice column titled "My mother-in-law is deceitful -- can we stop her from stealing my wife'...

Even if your estate is small, you should consider a living trust. The probate process is very different, depending on your state of residency.

Just what does an estate plan give you and your family? Many people do not think carefully about the laws of intestate succession and how their assets would be distributed, so an estate plan can be really beneficial, according to an Investopedia article.

Without guidelines, the responsibilities of maintaining property by a life tenant can grow into big problems. Giving a person life tenant rights can be a good way to avoid some family conflicts and make sure that property stays in the family.  However, it can also create different conflicts,...

Challenging a will may be easy.  However, winning the suit isn't. When a will is written that results in granting what someone wants other than the testator, it is known as "undue influence."

Las Vegas killer leaves large estate, but fair compensation for the victims will be a challenge. Despite a hefty estate of $5 million left behind, it will be difficult to compensate the victims of Las Vegas mass shooter Stephen Paddock.

As the cost for caring for the elderly increases, the amount of inheritance decreases. In wealthy countries, the idea of leaving an inheritance is in jeopardy and may become a distant memory for middle class families.

Pensions used to be a main portion of the American benefits package, but times have changed. Many companies in the U.S. did away with pension plans for their employees in the 1970s and switched to 401(k) plans.

Powers of attorney obtained online can create issues because they contain boilerplate that might not work for everyone's unique situation.

The new tax law (2018) has enough big changes that you need to review your estate plan to make sure that you are taking advantage of the best options in the new environment. One of the key changes for estate planning purposes, is that the estate tax exemption has been doubled.

A Tennessee woman has given birth to a baby, after the successful implantation of an embryo that was frozen 24 years ago. The medical world is making advances in many fields, including all kinds of technologically enhanced pregnancy and birthing methods. Eggs, sperm and embryos can all be frozen ...

A new survey reveals that Americans view nursing homes so negatively, that the majority prefer death to living in one. Nursing homes do not have a good reputation in the United States. The common perception of them is as cold, uncaring places where people go to pass away, isolated and alone.

It might not be possible at this time to pass away and be brought back to life years later, but it could be some day. That could make estate planning challenging.

The cremated remains of an Arizona woman's father were stolen off her porch, after the package containing them was left there by a postal worker.

When you take a long-term view to life, you soon understand that living a healthier lifestyle provides multiple rewards. Not only will you enjoy a higher quality of life and the ability to share that with your spouse, family and friends, but you are more likely to save money on health care costs.

How does one handle the payment of estate taxes after the death of an owner and avoid the need to sell assets to meet estate taxes?

Portability is actually a simple concept. It means that if one half of a married couple doesn't use up the entirety of the federal estate tax exemption at death, the surviving spouse can use this leftover portion, plus his or her own exemption.

Real estate can be a great investment, and many people don't know they can also put property into their IRAs. However, they have to be careful: one small mistake and an IRA's tax advantages disappear.

A man in Wisconsin has signed up for himself, his wife and their three sons to all be cryogenically frozen after they pass away, according to the Daily Mail.

Some attorneys take advantage of their elderly clients. One of those who did so, will serve 16 to 40 years in prison. There is a popular image of attorneys as shifty liars who will do or say anything. It is not an accurate portrayal of most lawyers.

Special needs trust may be answer to new tax reforms. Some of the people who were concerned about the new tax reform law were people with disabilities, according to The Hillin "Restructured tax code would unduly burden people with disabilities."

What is next, as Republicans look to reform programs? It appears that Republicans may be prepared to propose cuts to some of the most popular government programs, according to Financial Advisor.

If you have assets in more than one nation, you need to be sure of the laws for a solid estate plan. There are people who might need more than one will, if they have assets in more than one country and are a citizen of both countries, according to the Financial Review.

David Cassidy leaves small estate of $150,000. David Cassidy, who starred on the TV show “The Partridge Family” chose to cut his daughter out of his will, so she will not receive an inheritance from him, according to the Los Angeles Times.