Redlands California Estate Planning Blog

For California couples who have been farsighted enough to establish an estate plan, there comes a well-deserved peace of mind that their assets will be handled well after their deaths. While no one escapes their own mortality, having properly executed legal documents in place necessary to handle the transition when the time comes is reassuring. However, estate planning is not a one-and-done proposition; major life changes necessitate reviewing and sometimes altering one's plan.

Experts recommend reviewing estate documents every two years or when a life-changing event occurs. The death of a spouse is such an event. Although shock and grief can be paralyzing, it is imperative for a surviving spouse to not only review the documents but to make appropriate changes as soon as possible.

The majority of disability applicants in California and the rest of the United States will see their application denied. In fact, records show that 65 percent of people who apply for disability benefits are denied. As a result, these individuals have to decide if they want to go through the process of appealing their denied benefits claim.

The approval rate for reconsideration appeals, which is the next step to take if a disability claim has been denied, is also very low. The average approval rate for the nation ranges from 10 to 15 percent. However, applicants can take some comfort in their reconsideration denials, as it means that they will be able to have their case heard before an administrative law judge.

Aretha Franklin died without a will or any sort of estate plan in place despite being worth an estimated $80 million at the time of her death. California residents may be able to learn something from the problems that this may create for her heirs. Her sons have listed themselves as interested parties to the estate and chose Franklin's niece to become the personal representative to the estate.

According to an attorney who represented Franklin, failing to leave a will tends to result in family members fighting with each other. This has been the case since Robin Williams passed as his children and third wife are still trying to determine how to settle his estate. Franklin's attorney also said that he tried to get Franklin to create a trust as it could have made settling the estate easier.

People in California who are applying for Social Security Disability benefits may wonder how to enhance their filing in order to maximize their chances of being approved earlier in the process. While it can be difficult to predict how an application will move forward, there are some steps that people can take to help the process proceed smoothly. First, making a claim can be lengthy and time-consuming because it can involve appointments, months of waiting, appeals and further actions; for this reason, it is important to move quickly when filing.

This is especially true when people have severe impairments that make it difficult or impossible for them to work and earn a living wage, the same factors that prompted them to apply for SSD benefits in the first place. Sometimes, people delay making an application because the entire process can be daunting and intimidating, especially if people are also struggling with their conditions. Some people may also think that their condition could improve and the application could be unnecessary. However, in many cases, a disabling condition will only grow more troublesome.