PARENTS & HOMEOWNERS: MY 7-STEP ESTATE PLANNING PROCESS WILL PROTECT YOUR HEIRS
From Creditors, Predators & Bad Choices, And Will Help You Become a (Bigger) Hero to Your Family!
How to Have Difficult Conversations About Estate Planning with Family
You might feel uneasy about discussing estate planning with your family, but taking this step is vital for ensuring your wishes are honored and minimizing future conflicts. It’s important to approach these conversations with clarity and empathy, ensuring everyone understands the implications of your decisions. By fostering an environment of open dialogue, you can navigate…
The Importance of Naming a Guardian in Your Will
What Does It Mean to Name a Guardian in Your Will? In the context of estate planning, naming a guardian in your will is one of the most significant decisions you can make as a parent. A guardian is a person legally designated to care for your minor children in the event of your death.…
Estate Planning for Business Owners: What You Need to Know
Estate Planning for Business Owners: What You Need to Know Estate planning is often thought of as a task for later in life, but for business owners, it’s a crucial step that shouldn’t be postponed. Not only does it ensure your personal and business assets are distributed according to your wishes, but it also provides…
Living Trust vs Will in California: 2025 Guide for Families
Estate planning in California is about much more than simply writing a will. Probate expenses can eat up as much as 7 percent of your estate in legal fees and delays. Most people assume a basic will is enough to safeguard family assets and pass wealth to children. The real surprise is that a living…
How Do Changes to My Trusts Affect My Taxes?
Hello there! I’m Eric Ridley, an estate planning lawyer from California. Today, let’s talk about something that puzzles many: how do changes to your trusts affect your taxes? Trusts are like containers where you keep your assets for the future. They come in different shapes and sizes, and yes, they interact with taxes in various…
What Happens if I Die Without a Will in California?
Alright, let’s start simple. If you die without a will in California, the state decides who gets your stuff. Yep, it’s called “intestate succession.” Simply put, the state has rules in place to determine where your property goes, and it might not be where you’d want it to go. If you had some heirlooms you…
Can I Disinherit Someone In My Will In California?
In California, you have the legal right to disinherit someone in your will. Disinheritance means explicitly stating in your will that you do not want a particular person to inherit any part of your estate. This can be done for various reasons, whether personal disagreements, estrangement, or simply wanting to allocate your assets differently. However,…
Irrevocable Trust Definition: Estate Planning for California Families (2025)
Estate planning in California just got a lot more complicated. The federal estate tax exemption is dropping to 5.49 million dollars per individual starting in 2025, which means many more families could face hefty tax bills. You might assume a family trust takes care of the problem. Not quite. Only irrevocable trusts can truly lock…
How to Ensure Your Estate Plan Reflects Your Current Wishes
How to Ensure Your Estate Plan Reflects Your Current Wishes In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to overlook the importance of keeping your estate plan up-to-date. Yet, ensuring that your estate plan reflects your current wishes is crucial for protecting your legacy and providing peace of mind to your loved ones. Whether…
What is a Trust?
Hello! I’m Eric Ridley from The Law Office of Eric Ridley in California. Today, I’m here to talk about something that might sound complex but is quite simple: trusts. You might have heard this term thrown around in legal circles or seen it in movies, but what exactly is trust? Let’s dive in, but I…
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Mr. Ridley is just fantastic. He is knowledgable, attentive, honest and was very patient with my many many questions about my legal situation. I am especially appreciative that he helped me to understand that my situation had a resolution in s(...)
Reasonable Cost
Eric did an excellent job creating our Living Trust. His work was very detailed and thorough, and at a very reasonable cost. I could reach him easily to discuss concerns or questions, and he offered great advice. His depth and e(...)
Favorite Lawyer of All Time
Eric Ridley has to be my favorite Lawyer of all time. He helped me out tremendously being the executor of a family trust. I would give him 10 out of 10 no doubt! He did such a good job for me that I recommended him t(...)
