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California Secure Choice for Retirement Savings & Asset Protection

5 Star Review – I’ve been meaning to review my financial status for a long time and finally was able to with Erick’s help. Ever since then he has handled my investments with knowledge, kindness and skill. He knew what to do to force them to hand over the money. Thankfully at that time I met Erick. Always appreciate the extra personal touch he offers.
We hear that all the time from people when we first meet them. I’ve worked with people with very little money when they started as well as people who had more than they will ever spend…and everything in between. We’ll work with you every step of the way and you’ll be able to monitor your progress 24/7 with our easy-to-use mobile app. At Virtue Wealth Management, we’ve been serving Santa Clarita and Valencia residents since 2013 as a fee-only fiduciary. Look for a fiduciary who is legally required to put your best interests first at all times — not someone who earns commissions by selling specific products. After your financial plan is designed by us, you’ll have regularly scheduled coaching calls with your advisor to review your goals and your progres


Further­more, if both joint tenants die simultaneously, both of their estates will require probate, although, in some instances, both estates can be probated or administered through one court action. The survivor becomes the sole owner of the prop­erty and should make additional provisions for distribu­tion upon their death. Joint tenancy is a useful estate planning tool, but to rely solely on joint tenancy ownership for estate planning is generally a poor ide


Learn key legal steps to protect your loved one. Giving away assets while you are still alive is another way to avoid probate. However, it is important to choose a joint owner carefully, as they will have equal control over the asset during your lifetime.
Probate may result in family disputes
When you pass away, your beneficiaries simply present a death certificate to the brokerage firm, and the assets transfer into their names—no probate required. You'll name one or more beneficiaries who will automatically receive the account funds upon your death. Your 401(k), IRA, pension, and other retirement accounts pass directly to named beneficiaries, completely bypassing probate—but only if you've properly designated beneficiarie


Learn the essentials of estate planning, including wills, trusts, living wills, and strategies to minimize taxes while protecting your assets and loved ones. Dying without a will can also create added anxiety for your family during a time of grief. For a simple estate, you can use reputable online platforms to create basic documents like a will or power of attorney. That means less uncertainty and fewer disagreements, and quicker access to the resources they may need after you’re gone. Even if your situation remains steady, it’s still smart to review your plan periodically since the laws related to estate planning can change.
Make information easy to access
When you create a trust, you decide what goes into it, who gets what, and how it’s distributed. Be sure you carefully consider whom you want to name as your agent in your estate planning documents, as they will be carrying out your wishes when you are unable to do so, or have passed. Each person on the team plays a critical role in the process and can provide invaluable legal and financial advice. Estate planning is the process of organizing and arranging your assets to help ensure they’re transferred according to your wishes upon your death or incapacitation. All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. Estate planning services range from basic wills and power of attorney documents to more advanced strategies like trusts and charitable givin


A health care directive, also known as a living will, outlines your wishes regarding medical treatment if you’re unable to communicate them yourself. Below, we’ll walk you through essential steps to create an estate plan that keeps probate at bay. Probate can be a lengthy and costly process, which is why many people seek ways to bypass it when planning for the future.
If a deceased person doesn’t have a Will, probate assets will still be distributed through the probate process, but state law (and the Judge!) will decide who receives those assets and who will be responsible for managing the estate. Dealing with the death of a loved one is hard enough without the added burden of navigating the legal complexities of probate. Bear in mind that anything filed in probate court becomes part of the public record. A living trust involves some setup costs, but it allows you to manage the disposition of all your wealth in one document while retaining control and reserving the right to modify your plan.
Maintain a Comprehensive Asset Inventory and Digital Estate Plan
This method provides privacy and ensures a smooth transfer of assets to your beneficiaries. As the grantor, you can maintain control over the trust during your lifetime and designate a trustee to manage the assets upon your death. It allows you to clearly outline how you want your assets CA for families distributed after your passing. Probate court can be a lengthy and costly process for families dealing with the loss of a loved on