Choosing a Gift to Give to Charity
If you are considering making a donation to a public charity, you are not limited to donating cash. Depending upon your financial situation, giving objectives, and the needs of the charitable organization, certain accounts or pieces of property may be better suited for donation to the charity. Cash Writing a check to your favorite charity […]
A great surprise! (+ Jay Leno and Alex Varela)
Desplácese hacia abajo para leer esto en español. A Personal Note from Firm Owner, Alex Varela My cousin and I recently hosted an incredible surprise birthday party for our beloved Grandmother, who just turned 79! It was an absolute joy to bring together generations of our family all under one roof to celebrate our abuela! We were planning to […]
Estate Planning for World Travelers: Important Issues to Address Before You Leave on Vacation
Getting ready to embark on your next great adventure? Before you zip up the last suitcase, here are five issues you need to address to protect yourself and your loved ones. Do you have a foundational estate plan? Has it been reviewed?An estate plan is a set of instructions memorialized in legal documents that explains […]
Why Thanksgiving is the Perfect Time for Estate Planning Conversations
As we approach the Thanksgiving season, Alex Varela, the owner of The Wagon Legacy, wants to share a perspective on an important yet often overlooked topic—estate planning. Many say that Thanksgiving is a time to avoid heavy discussions, but consider this: amidst the delightful Thanksgiving dinner and the joy of watching parades or games, it […]
Update your will
A will is a legal document that sets out your wishes for the distribution of your assets after your death. It is an important tool to ensure that your will is carried out and your loved ones are protected. However, wills can become obsolete over time. Changes in your personal life, such as marriage, divorce, […]
Estate Planning for Military & Veteran Families
No matter the time of year, it is always a good opportunity for members of the military and theirloved ones to consider setting up — or revising an existing —estate plan. Military families needto consider special estate-planning issues that others do not. This is particularly true when oneor more family members are deployed overseas. Beyond […]
Types of Trusts
Trusts are legal instruments that allow you to transfer assets to another person or entity, called a trustee, for safekeeping and management for the benefit of one or several persons, called beneficiaries. Trusts can be used for several purposes, among them: There are many different types of trusts, each with its own specific purpose. Some […]
Act Now to Repeal Prop 19!
Prop 19 passed in 2020 and eliminated a parent’s ability to leave real property to their children with their Proposition 13 taxes and tax base. Nearly all real property will be reassessed at its current fair market value when inherited, which of course, significantly increases property taxes in most cases (to learn more about Prop 19: please […]
Advantages of guardianship
Guardianship is a legal process that allows one person or entity to assume responsibility for the person and property of another who is incapable of caring for themselves. Guardianship may be necessary in various situations, such as when a person is a minor, has a mental or physical disability, or is an older adult who […]
The importance of writing a will
A will is a legal document that allows a person, known as a testator, to express his will about his property and personal affairs after his death. It is an essential estate planning tool as it helps ensure that the testator’s assets are distributed according to the testator’s wishes. There are many reasons why it […]
