Leaving a legacy is a deeply personal act, but what happens when you fear your heirs might squander their inheritance? In Campbell, California, where tech wealth meets traditional family values, this concern is all too common. Many parents worry that a sudden windfall could enable reckless spending, substance abuse, or financial dependence rather than independence. The good news is that California law offers robust tools to protect both your assets and your heirs from poor decisions. The … [Read more...] about Is There an Estate Planning Approach for Irresponsible Heirs?
How Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan?
How often should you update your estate plan? As a general rule, you should review it every three to five years and update it promptly whenever a significant change occurs in your family, your finances, or the law. The Three-to-Five Year Rule Even when your life feels stable, the world around your estate plan keeps changing. Tax laws shift. The people you named as trustees or executors grow older, relocate, or become less suited to the role. Assets you once owned may have been sold, and new … [Read more...] about How Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan?
New College Students Need Advance Health Care Directives
The transition to college is a milestone filled with packing lists, course enrollments, and newfound independence. For parents in Campbell and throughout the Silicon Valley, sending a child off to college brings a mix of pride and anxiety. While you are likely focusing on housing contracts or tuition payments, there is a critical legal reality that frequently gets overlooked in the rush to campus. Once your child turns 18, they are legally an adult. This status changes your legal … [Read more...] about New College Students Need Advance Health Care Directives
Attorney Justin M. Kennedy Selected as 2026 Super Lawyer
We are proud to announce that Attorney Justin M. Kennedy has been selected to the 2026 California Super Lawyers list. This is the 3rd year in a row that Justin has been rated as a Super Lawyer. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition … [Read more...] about Attorney Justin M. Kennedy Selected as 2026 Super Lawyer
Still Fighting: The Estate Planning Legacy of Shannen Doherty
Shannen Doherty spent years fighting breast cancer with courage and candor. In her final days, she also fought to finalize her divorce – signing the settlement just one day before she died. More than a year later, her estate is still fighting to enforce it. Shannen’s story is a powerful reminder that even the best-laid plans can unravel when the wrong people are involved – and that naming the right Trustee may be the most important decision you ever make. Continue reading to learn more. … [Read more...] about Still Fighting: The Estate Planning Legacy of Shannen Doherty
Declare Your Independence From Intestacy
Every Fourth of July, we celebrate the right to determine our own destiny. Yet many Americans leave some of life's most important decisions to state intestacy laws by failing to create an Estate Plan. This Independence Day, learn why declaring your independence from intestacy may be one of the most meaningful gifts you can leave for the people you love. Continue reading to learn more. … [Read more...] about Declare Your Independence From Intestacy
What Happens to a Living Trust When the First Spouse Dies? A Trusts and AB Trusts Explained (VIDEO)
One of the most common questions married couples ask when creating an estate plan is: What happens to our living trust when the first spouse dies? The answer depends on how the trust was designed. In this video, estate planning attorney Justin M. Kennedy explains two common trust structures for married couples: the A Trust (single trust) structure and the AB Trust structure. While both options begin as a joint living trust during the spouses' lifetimes, they function very differently after the … [Read more...] about What Happens to a Living Trust When the First Spouse Dies? A Trusts and AB Trusts Explained (VIDEO)
That Would Never Happen: The Most Dangerous Words in Estate Planning
One of the most common—and dangerous—phrases in Estate Planning is “that would never happen.” This article explores how assumptions about family dynamics, relationships, and behavior often lead to unintended conflict, litigation, and failed plans. By examining where these assumptions break down, both attorneys and families can build Estate Plans designed to withstand real-world challenges. Continue reading to learn more. … [Read more...] about That Would Never Happen: The Most Dangerous Words in Estate Planning
IRS Warning: The 2026 Dirty Dozen Tax Scams
As we approach the end of another tax season, it’s a good time to review the list of “Dirty Dozen” tax schemes published by the Internal Revenue Service for the year. Many of these schemes peak during tax time and involve fraudsters looking for ways to steal taxpayers’ money, personal information, and data. Attorneys can help their clients by alerting them to these scams and providing advice on how to avoid them. Continue reading to learn more. … [Read more...] about IRS Warning: The 2026 Dirty Dozen Tax Scams
When Estate Planning Fails: Family Infighting and the $10 Billion Lakers Sale
The recent $10 billion sale of the Los Angeles Lakers provides a powerful cautionary tale about Estate Planning, family conflict, and business succession. Despite a sophisticated Trust designed to keep ownership in the Buss family, structural flaws and sibling rivalries ultimately dismantled Jerry Buss’s legacy. This case illustrates why even well-drafted Estate Plans can fail when they ignore real-world dynamics. Learn the critical lessons every family business owner should consider before it’s … [Read more...] about When Estate Planning Fails: Family Infighting and the $10 Billion Lakers Sale
