When you begin early estate planning near Tracy or Livermore , you have the opportunity to thoroughly protect your assets and ensure your dependents’ financial security. Visiting an estate planning attorney to draft a last will and testament, health care directive, trust, or powers of attorney is a very prudent financial decision, and something that can be done at any age. Here is a look at some valuable estate planning tips for people in their 40s or younger.

Start as Early as Possible

Many young people believe they don’t need to worry about estate planning because they don’t have a high net worth, or have few assets. In truth, it’s almost never too soon to start thinking about basic estate planning. Even if you only have debts and no assets, estate-planning documents will help your loved ones handle your finances after you’re gone. Additionally, you never know when you might become seriously injured or ill. A living will and power of attorney allow you to designate someone you trust to make important medical decisions for you if you’re unable to make them yourself.

Focus on the Basics

When you’re under the age of 40, you only need to focus on the basics of estate planning. Your estate planning attorney should advise you that you can most likely do without certain more complicated estate planning documents, like trusts and probate documents. The most important components of your estate planning when under 40 are a health care directive, life insurance, a last will and testament, and a durable power of attorney. These documents will ensure that both you and your family are protected should something happen.

Use Experienced Estate Planning Attorneys

While many companies sell estate planning kits online or in bookstores, you shouldn’t try to complete such complicated documents on your own. Your family might find out at the worst possible time that they don’t hold up in court, or that information is missing or unclear. You should instead visit an experienced estate-planning attorney who is familiar with estate planning for those under 40.

Slipping and falling is usually not a major problem for most people. In fact, many falls happen within the home and do not involve serious injuries. However, when a person falls on someone else’s property and sustains injuries, he or she may decide to consult personal injury lawyers located in Tracy or Livermore. A personal injury lawyer will review the available evidence to determine if someone else might be held liable for the injuries. One effective way to help your personal injury lawyer prove your allegations is to take photographs of the accident scene immediately after you fall.

Photographic evidence is difficult to dispute in court, especially when it depicts problems such as loose floorboards, broken handrails, or other tripping and slipping hazards. In addition to providing your injury lawyer with photographic evidence, you may have other evidence to support your case. This might include copies of your rental agreement if you fell on your landlord’s property. Personal injury lawyers are also likely to request copies of medical bills for your injury treatments.

Even if you have already established a will , you may need to make some changes to it from time to time. As this video explains, it’s a smart idea to review your will every few years to make sure that everything is up to date and to make any desired alterations. You may also need to update your will after major changes in your life, such as remarriage, the birth of a child, or the death of a beneficiary. However, altering a will needs to be done in a legal way in order to be considered valid. To ensure that you are carrying out your will updates correctly, contact a will attorney serving Tracy.

Even if you are young, healthy, and have few assets, you should consider visiting an estate-planning attorney to discuss drafting a will and a Power of Attorney in Tracy or Manteca . A will and durable power of attorney allow you to detail specific directions regarding your medical care, finances, assets, and liabilities if you are alive but no longer able to communicate this information yourself.

Watch this video to learn more about what a power of attorney is, and when you need one. A durable power of attorney designates a specific person whom you trust as the person who can make decisions about your finances, assets, and other estate-planning needs.

Probate is a process whereby an individual passes away without a will, or with a will and not a trust, and must go through a lengthy court process. To avoid having your surviving loved ones deal with the court process or state rules on your personal financial matters, speak to an attorney about your estate administration in Tracy .

If your estate ends up in probate, your assets will be completely tied up until a judge determines that creditors and tax obligations are satisfied. While an estate planning attorney can still offer assistance with probate matters, the process takes longer, costs more, and is more public than if a last will and testament had been left. Probate is completely avoidable if you arrange your financial affairs with an attorney before you pass away. By creating a will and trust, you can ensure that your assets will be equitably and efficiently divided according to your wishes.

The attorneys at Bakerink, McCusker & Beldin are here to represent you in personal injury cases and estate planning. If we have recently represented you, take a moment to post a positive review on our Google+ page.

After you suffer a personal injury from a dog bite, contact a firm with personal injury lawyers serving Tracy. A personal injury lawyer can evaluate the facts of your case and determine if you may be entitled to compensation.

If you have sustained a serious injury after a dog bite that has cost you money in medical bills, lost wages, or general pain and suffering, you most likely have a personal injury claim. Dog bite costs exceed over $1 billion in the United States alone. Because of the bacteria living in a dog’s mouth, dog bites can turn fatal if the wound becomes infected. Dog bite laws vary depending on the state, and only an injury lawyer knows the ins and outs of local laws and is familiar with state courtrooms. Contact a lawyer to discuss your personal injury claim if you are hurt, have incurred any bills, or have had your property damaged.

If you been hurt in an accident, the first thing you should do after seeking immediate medical care is to contact a personal injury lawyer near Tracy . Almost everyone feels understandably confused and overwhelmed after suffering a personal injury. Unfortunately, even your own insurance company does not always have your best interests at heart, and is usually only looking out for their bottom line. Continue reading to learn more about how insurance companies will investigate your claim.

Recorded Statement

After a personal injury, insurance companies will begin the investigation by asking you a number of questions to collect information about the facts of the accident. Insurance companies will also try to secure a recorded statement where the injured person describes the accident and specifies her injuries. Never give a recorded statement. Instead, let your personal injury lawyer speak to the insurance company to make sure your rights are protected. Otherwise, anything you say may be used against you.

Personal Information

Remember, insurance companies want to collect any negative information they can to lower the value of your personal injury claim. After getting your statement, the next step in the investigation is to check all proprietary insurance claims databases to find out whether you have ever filed a personal injury or property damage claim. Insurance companies will also Google you and investigate your Facebook page to try to prove that your personal injury is not as significant as you say.

Medical Records

Insurance companies never trust injury lawyers to turn over all information. The final step in an investigation is to secure all your medical records, even if you have already given your diagnosis and documented all expenses. An insurance company will likely send you an authorization form that allows them to access the records themselves. Never sign the authorization unless your personal injury lawyer advises you to do so. You may inadvertently give the company access to your lifetime of medical records, which they can use against you.

Did you know that over half of Americans with children do not leave wills? Estate planning near Tracy is essential if you want to ensure that your assets are handled well and that your family does not engage in unnecessary disputes. To obtain legal advice about your specific situation, always consult with a lawyer who handles estate planning. Keep reading to find out how to start a productive conversation with your loved ones about your estate’s administration.

Select Family Roles

When it comes to planning your last will and testament, estate attorneys regularly advise their clients to select the family members who are best fit for different roles before holding a family meeting. When people ask for family input, feelings can get hurt and emotions can run high. By picking the right candidate for your health care proxy, financial power of attorney, or guardian for your children on your own, you can then use your family meeting to simply explain each person’s role—without asking for feedback.

Set a Good Tone

Of course, your conversation about estate administration should be as pleasant as possible. Try to strike a gentle tone, but remember to stand firm in your convictions. You may want to consider asking your will lawyer to join the conversation, as well. Your attorney can provide an expert’s analysis of estate law while serving as a neutral facilitator.

Prepare Necessary Paperwork

Once you’ve decided whom you want to handle the key roles related to your estate, it is time to contact an estate planning attorney. A will lawyer will help you secure the documents you need to cement your wishes and ensure that they are carried out according to your exact wishes. Your attorney can also verify that you have forms you may not have considered, like an Advance Healthcare Directive. This document states your preferences for medical treatment and is essential to have as part of your living will.

Although making plans for your estate may be uncomfortable, it is one of the most important things you can do for your family. Two options you have are wills and trusts. Wills are legal documents that detail your final wishes, from who you wish to receive the assets in your estate to who should gain guardianship of your pets. Trusts can be set up while you’re alive and are a pool of assets that can be used by your beneficiaries. When you are alive, you are the beneficiary of your trust, and after your death, it will pass on to the people you have designated. Let one of the attorneys in Tracy at Bakerink, McCusker & Belden help you understand whether a will or trust is appropriate for your needs and help you set one up that adequately protects your family. Start a conversation with your family about estate planning by sharing this information.