MackayDressler Law Firm

10/16/2026

Proactive Planning Can Minimize Exposure to Elder Financial Abuse: Financial exploitation of older adults has reached epidemic proportions across the United States. As life savings accumulate over decades of hard work, older individuals become prime targets for bad actors seeking a quick windfall. The most alarming aspect of elder financial abuse is that it often occurs quietly, escalating in scale before anyone notices the […]

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The most alarming aspect of elder financial abuse is that it often occurs quietly, escalating in scale before anyone notices.

10/15/2026

Things are getting spooky here at Mackay Dressler, take a look through our Haunted House of Estate Planning Mistakes.... if you dare! Don't let these mistakes come back and haunt you. 👻

10/14/2026

What Happens To Your iPhone After You Die (video blog): Hi there, Miranda Dressler here, estate planning attorney with Mackay Dressler in Petaluma, California. And today I’m going to talk a little bit about an often overlooked detail when it comes to getting your estate plan in place and making sure that kind of everything is covered. Because a lot of people will get their […]

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Learn how an Apple Legacy Contact can help trusted family members access important digital information after your death

10/14/2026

3 Assets That DON’T Belong in Your Trust: Did you know that not every asset that you own belongs in your living trust if you have one? Hi there, my name is Miranda Dressler I am an attorney with MacKay Dressler law firm in Petaluma, California, and we practice in estate planning and elder law. And the vast majority of estate plans […]

The post 3 Assets That DON’T Belong in Your Trust appeared first on Mackay Dressler Law Firm.

Learn which 3 assets typically stay outside a living trust, including retirement accounts, annuities, and life insurance policies.

10/14/2026

📱 What happens to your iPhone when you die? Your photos, texts, emails, and digital memories could be harder for your loved ones to access than you think.
Without the right digital estate planning, your family may face unexpected roadblocks trying to access important information—even if they know your passcode.
From your iPhone to your online accounts, planning ahead can help protect your digital legacy and make things easier for the people you leave behind.

10/14/2026

📱 What happens to your iPhone when you die? Your photos, texts, emails, and digital memories could be harder for your loved ones to access than you think.

Without the right digital estate planning, your family may face unexpected roadblocks trying to access important information.

From your iPhone to your online accounts, planning ahead can help protect your digital legacy and make things easier for the people you leave behind.

Follow for more estate planning tips to protect your family, your assets, and your legacy.

10/13/2026

What Happens to Your Estate Plan After Divorce: Transcript: Hey there I’m Bridget Mackay, an estate planning attorney here in Petaluma, California. And I want to talk to you a little bit about what happens to your estate plan when you divorce. So, when we’re in the middle of a divorce or a breakup in a relationship, usually we’re mostly focused on that, […]

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Learn what to update in your estate plan during and after divorce, including your will, healthcare directive, and powers of attorney.

10/12/2026

The Value of Trusts in Estate Planning: Trusts are a foundational estate planning tool because they allow you to establish legally binding rules for asset distribution after your death while setting management guidelines during your lifetime. A trust can operate continuously — while you’re healthy, in cases of incapacity, after your death and for years beyond — providing structure, oversight and […]

The post The Value of Trusts in Estate Planning appeared first on Mackay Dressler Law Firm.

  Trusts are a foundational estate planning tool because they allow you to establish legally binding rules for asset distribution after your death

10/12/2026

Honoring Indigenous People's Day!💚
Our office is closed today in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. We honor and celebrate Indigenous peoples, cultures, histories and communities. We take this day as an opportunity to reflect, learn and listen.
We'll be back in the office tomorrow.

10/09/2026

Will an estate plan affect your taxes? The answer might surprise you!

Many people worry that creating a living trust or estate plan will increase their taxes. But the truth is, estate planning and taxes are more connected than you might think.

In this video, we explain how an estate plan may affect your income taxes, estate taxes, and the inheritance you leave to your loved ones. We’ll also discuss why having the right plan in place can help protect your legacy and give your family greater peace of mind.

If you’re 55+ and want to make informed decisions about your estate, this is an important question to ask!

📌 Subscribe for more estate planning tips to help you protect your assets, plan for the future, and make things easier for the people you love.