Law Offices of Roshni T. Desai

10/27/2022

UPDATING MY ESTATE PLANS WHEN I MOVE
We live in a mobile society. According to the American Community Survey, over 40 million Americans move annually. While moving itself requires many changes and can be extremely stressful, many individuals don’t recognize the need to update their estate plan documents after an out-of-state move until it becomes a problem.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Cz4i9I

10/13/2022

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY PROPERTY IN CALIFORNIA WHEN I DIE?
Death and taxes, as they say, are the only givens in life. And yet, it is estimated that only 33 percent of Americans have estate plans in place to protect their assets and their loved ones. While most of us know the importance of an estate plan, many people simply don’t get around to it or just don’t want to think about their own mortality.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3CTHMd3

We help clients with Estate Planning, Probate, Trust Administration, Trust Dispute Resolution, Business Succession Planning and Business Planning.

09/22/2022

What Should You Do When There Are Will Disputes?
Unfortunately, when a family member passes away, it brings out the good as well as the not-so-good in family dynamics. There may be times when a family member thinks they are entitled to something that the won’t specify or disagrees with how the estate is being settled.

Learn more: https://www.lortd.com/blog/what-should-you-do-when-there-are-will-disputes/

09/08/2022

What Happens to My Property in California When I Die?
Death and taxes, as they say, are the only givens in life. And yet, it is estimated that only 33 percent of Americans have estate plans in place to protect their assets and their loved ones. While most of us know the importance of an estate plan, many people simply don’t get around to it or just don’t want to think about their own mortality.

Learn more: https://www.lortd.com/blog/what-happens-to-my-property-after-i-die/

08/29/2022

What Happens if You Die Without a Will?
If you die without a will in Orange County, CA, you no longer control who your estate goes to. In this case, you are said to have “died intestate,” and state law and the probate court distributes your estate by what is referred to as intestate succession. Without a will, your estate will be divided amongst your heirs in accordance with the law, not your wishes.

Learn more: https://www.lortd.com/blog/what-happens-if-you-die-without-a-will/

08/18/2022

Should You Leave Your Children Your Estate if They Are Under 18?
Although you may plan to leave money or other assets to your children as part of your estate plan, considering their age is important when crafting that plan. Many people overlook the fact that minor children under the age of 18 cannot inherit property in their own name in California. Consequently, when leaving an inheritance to minor children, provisions need to be made to name an adult to manage that property for the children until they can legally do so themselves.

Learn more: https://www.lortd.com/blog/should-you-leave-your-children-your-estate-if-they-are-under-18/

06/29/2022

What are the Key Strategies for Estate Planning?
In the past, estate planning was something that only wealthy individuals did. But most of us have an estate, or personal assets and belongings, regardless of how small or large. And estate planning is far more than who we want to distribute our belongings to after we die. It is who will act as guardians to our children if the unthinkable happens. Or who will take care of us and make critical decisions if we become incapacitated. Not having a concise estate plan may lead to great confusion if our family is confronted with end-of-life matters and need to guess what we would have wanted.

Learn More: https://www.lortd.com/blog/key-strategies-for-estate-planning/

06/27/2022

Is a Guardian Needed For My Children?
Estate planning for young parents usually has more to do with who will take care of their minor children than it is about who to leave their estate to. Naming a guardian in your will ensures that you make that choice and not the probate courts.

Learn More: https://www.lortd.com/blog/is-a-guardian-needed-for-my-children/

03/31/2022

Estate planning for young parents usually has more to do with who will take care of their minor children than it is about who to leave their estate to.
Learn More: https://www.lortd.com/blog/is-a-guardian-needed-for-my-children/

03/28/2022

A living trust is one that you create during your lifetime, allowing you to have control over the assets in it as a trustee.
Learn More: https://www.lortd.com/blog/can-my-living-trust-be-amended/

02/28/2022

While many estate planning documents focus on what becomes of your property after you die, other critical documents provide for who should be responsible for your healthcare decisions, property, assets, and obligations when you are alive but unable to do it for yourself.
Learn More: https://www.lortd.com/blog/what-is-a-power-of-attorney-and-who-is-entitled-to-one/

02/24/2022

Just like your life is fluid and subject to change, your estate plan should also be. Having a well-developed estate plan is only as good as how effective it will be, considering your current situation.
Learn More: https://www.lortd.com/blog/importance-of-keeping-your-estate-plan-up-to-date/

01/31/2022

Santa Ana, California Small Business Lawyer.
There are many legal issues and concerns that can and often do arise when it comes to starting and managing a small business in the State of California.
Learn More: https://www.lortd.com/practice-areas/small-business/

01/30/2022

Santa Ana Power of Attorney Lawyer.
There are several requirements that must be satisfied in the State of California for there to be a valid power of attorney – including powers of attorney for finances and healthcare.
Learn More: https://www.lortd.com/practice-areas/powers-of-attorney/

Santa Ana power of attorney lawyer Roshni T. Desai will help individuals and families create a document for financial and healthcare purposes. Call 714-694-1200.

01/13/2022

01/01/2022

Wishing every day of the new year to be filled with success, happiness and prosperity for you, happy new year from the Law Offices of Roshni T. Desai.

12/31/2021

There may come a time when we are no longer able to manage our own financial and legal decisions due to an illness, age-related disease, or disability. Under probate law, this is referred to as incapacity.
Learn More: https://www.lortd.com/blog/how-does-california-define-incapacity-when-it-comes-to-estate-wills-and-trusts/

In California, incapacity is defined as a judicial determination that a person is totally without understanding, or is of unsound mind, or suffers from one or more mental deficits so substantial that, under the circumstances, the person should be deemed to lack the legal capacity to perform a specif...

12/17/2021

In January 2016, Revocable Transfer on Death Deeds, or RTODDs, became available in California as a way for individuals to leave a piece of real property to a loved one simply and cost-effectively. Using an RTODD, a property can automatically pass on to beneficiaries upon an individual’s death without going through the costly and time-consuming probate process.
Read on: https://www.lortd.com/blog/how-will-california-sb-315-affect-revocable-taransfer-on-death-deeds/

In January 2016, Revocable Transfer on Death Deeds, or RTODDs, became available in California as a way for individuals to leave a piece of real property to a loved one simply and cost-effectively.

12/01/2021

If you are considering estate planning - which any adult should - you likely have heard various terms, including beneficiary accounts, wills, and trusts.
Learn More: https://www.lortd.com/blog/the-basics-of-beneficiary-accouts-wills-and-trusts/

TIf you are considering estate planning, which any adult should, you likely have heard various terms, including beneficiary accounts, wills, and trusts. These are all parts of a comprehensive estate plan.

11/13/2021

Transfer on death (TOD) accounts are a popular tool in estate planning, as they can have different benefits.
Learn More: https://www.lortd.com/blog/problems-to-avoid-with-transfer-on-death-accounts/

There are things to consider so you can avoid certain problems with TOD accounts. To discuss your specific situation, speak with a Santa Ana estate planning lawyer directly.

10/30/2021

Like most states, California has laws that permit the state to claim - or “escheat” - unclaimed property that is deemed abandoned.
Learn More: https://www.lortd.com/blog/what-is-the-escheat-of-unclaimed-property/

There are specific rules regarding how businesses must handle unclaimed property, when the state can deem the property to be abandoned, and how rightful property owners might reclaim their seized property.

10/21/2021

In 2021, most of our lives revolve around the digital world. We use the internet and all of its resources for entertainment, social interaction, financial transactions, and much more.
Learn More: https://www.lortd.com/blog/who-handles-my-digital-assets-after-i-pass-away/

So, what happens to your digital assets if you pass away? Digital assets have become an important part of estate planning, and you should always discuss this matter with an experienced Santa Ana estate planning attorney.

09/30/2021

How to Avoid Estate Disputes in CA

After you pass away, the last thing your family needs is to face a contentious dispute over your estate. Even families who seem to get along can find themselves in conflict over estate and probate issues when a parent or another loved one passes away.
Read on: https://www.lortd.com/blog/how-to-avoid-estate-disputes-in-california/

It is first important to understand the types of disputes that commonly arise so you can work to prevent them. The following are only some examples of conflicts that might arise.

09/10/2021

Reasons Why Business Owners Need an Estate Plan

When you put your heart and soul into starting and running a successful business, chances are you would be proud to pass the reins along to one of your children or another family member.
Read on: https://www.lortd.com/blog/reasons-why-business-owners-need-an-estate-plan/

The best way to ensure your business passes along to the right individuals with little to no disruption is to schedule your appointment with an Orange County estate planning attorney who regularly works with business owners.

08/31/2021

Probate Law in Orange County

If your loved one lived in Orange County and has passed away, their estate may need to go through probate. While many people get nervous when they hear the word probate, the process may not be as difficult as you think. However, it will take a considerable amount of time.
Learn More: https://www.lortd.com/blog/probate-law-in-orange-county/

If your loved one lived in Orange County and has passed away, their estate may need to go through probate. Not every Orange County estate must go through the full probate process.

08/12/2021

Updating Estate Plans When Moving

Millions of people move from one state to another each year, and relocating out of state can be an involved process. You need to update your license plates and driver’s license, find new healthcare providers, update your voter registration, and start filing state taxes in your new location.
Read on: https://www.lortd.com/blog/updating-estate-plans-when-moving/

If you recently moved to the Santa Ana area from another state, it is always wise to consult with a Santa Ana estate planning attorney who can help update your plan to reflect California law.

07/09/2021

If your spouse suddenly passed away without an estate plan, would you have rights under California law? Fortunately, the answer is yes - widows and widowers do have some guaranteed inheritance rights in California.
Learn More: https://www.lortd.com/blog/do-widows-have-guaranteed-rights-in-an-estate-in-california/

06/16/2021

The Aftermath of Not Having an Estate Plan in CA.
With the Covid-19 pandemic, the past year has reminded us all that many people can pass away for unexpected reasons. If you suddenly become very ill or injured, you likely will not have the chance to sit down and carefully ponder what will happen to your property and family if you succumb to your condition.
Learn More: https://www.lortd.com/blog/the-aftermath-of-not-having-an-estate-plan-in-ca/

What happens when you die without an estate plan California law and probate courts will determine how your estate is settled while you and your family have little to no say.

05/17/2021

Transferring California Property Ownership Sooner Rather than Later Might Protect Your Children.
Do you own a winery, farm, or other lucrative property in California? Were you planning to transfer the property to your children, knowing there would not need to be a tax reassessment?
Learn More ===> https://www.lortd.com/blog/transferring-california-property-ownership-sooner-rather-than-later-might-protect-your-childern/

If you counted on the parent-child tax exemption for property transfers in California, you might want to speed up your plans. This is because changes in the law will go into effect on February 15, 2021.

01/07/2021

Considerations when Creating a Will.
It is highly beneficial to have a carefully crafted will, though how do you ensure that you consider all relevant factors to ensure your will is effective and enforceable? The best way to feel confident in your last will and testament is to seek help from an experienced Santa Ana estate planning lawyer.
Learn More ===> https://www.lortd.com/blog/considerations-when-creating-a-will/

The following are some examples of important considerations when creating a will, though you should always consult with a lawyer you can trust, as well.