Trustmaker – TrustStefanie Blog

Category: Trustmaker

1 Post

Do-it-Yourself, Elder Law, Estate Planning, IRS, Tax ID, Trust, Trustee, Trustmaker, Update, Will

February 2015 – Trusts need TLC

March 7, 2017 — 0 Comments

Estate Planning As Explained In Pictures: “No, mommy – it’s MY ice cream!” He’s still just two, so it’s still impossible not to laugh when Ben declares “hands off” and pushes me away. A few weeks ago, we took Ben on his first train ride to Old Sacramento. He loved looking at the world from a train window. Once we got to Sacramento, we visited the train museum, saw many horse drawn carriages, ate soft serve ice cream, and heard one too many Harley motorcycles!

Estate Planning As Explained In Pictures: Ben and his best buddy, PJ, hang out with their dads and watch planes, trains and automobiles on television in bed on a Saturday night. Friendships are wonderful (and important) at any age! Nowadays, many of us maintain our friendships through social media, such as Facebook. Photos and memories are “digital assets,” and are part of your estate planning, too.

SAMSUNG

Estate Planning As Explained In Pictures: Gramma Joan and Benny put together their first gingerbread house over the holidays. They were a great team! Gramma was the foreman (mixing, designing, building), and Ben the candy designer, masterfully placing the candies on the frosting. Working together is wonderful when you are on the same page, but in estate planning, sharing the job can be messy…

Estate Planning as told in Pictures: A client asked me if she could be buried in a pet cemetary. She would enjoy eternity in the company of animals more than humans! I got a good chuckle (it’s illegal) but I could see her point. Pets give us great joy. Here, Penny gives me her “don’t forget to pet me —- I am your first-born child” look, which works every time.

Estate Planning As Explained In Pictures: We recently took a flight to visit Grandma BB and Popsi. It would have been tragic to lose Curious George at the airport. So, George was strapped to Benny’s backpack. It was practical, easy, and gave all of the TSA agents something to chuckle about. Unfortunately, without proper planning, things we care about most (whether sapphires or stuffed monkeys) can be lost forever.

Estate Planning As Explained In Pictures: “Caught in the act!” Biggie the Bichon loves cans. He pulls them from the trash and rolls them down the hallway to his bed. However, “kicking the can down the road” is not one of Biggie’s issues. I leave THAT “art” to some of my estate planning clients!

Estate Planning As Explained In Pictures: Access denied! I recently took Biggie to the vet, who prescribed the dreaded cone. Overnight, he could no longer access things he did effortlessly before. He couldn’t do simple things like drink from his bowl or fit through the doggie door. That same feeling of being suddenly restricted happens when you don’t have passwords for others’ accounts, even if you are a spouse!

This blog is sponsored by THE LAW OFFICES OF STEFANIE WEST.
Stefanie West is licensed to practice law in the State of California. Our transmission and your viewing of this site or any other web site sponsored by THE LAW OFFICES OF STEFANIE WEST does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and THE LAW OFFICES OF STEFANIE WEST.

THIS IS NOT
LEGAL ADVICE.

The materials on this site are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. The content of this site may not reflect the most current legal developments and may be changed, updated or removed without notice. Do not consider this site to be a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney licensed in your state or country, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of the information contained herein.
THE LAW OFFICES OF STEFANIE WEST is not responsible for any errors or omission in the content of this site or for damages arising from the use of this site under any circumstances.
THE LAW OFFICES OF STEFANIE WEST assists clients with Estate Planning, Elder Law, Special Needs Planning and Probate/Estate Administration in Contra Costa, Alameda and San Francisco Counties.