Estate Planning Blog Digest

Tom Girardi, estranged husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne, has been placed under a temporary conservatorship.

Phil Spector passed away Saturday at age 81, after being diagnosed with COVID-19, reports said. The legendary music producer and convicted murderer’s net worth was estimated to be $50 million at the time of his death.

Funded with cash or other assets, donor-advised funds give charitably minded investors control of when and where their funds are distributed.

Some people are concerned that the new conservative 6-3 majority on the Supreme Court will roll back protections for non-traditional families. Regardless of the decisions at the Supreme Court, or the impact on the state family courts, there are many ways that non-traditional families can maintain control.

When an individual cannot make important decisions for himself or herself, a judge appoints someone called the conservator or guardian to make decisions. The conservator has the legal backing of the court in all decisions, including finances, medical and personal care.

Retirement can be a bigger drag on the assets than all the professional and romantic mistakes put together.

Unfortunately, only about a third of U.S. adults had an advance directive in recent years, according to one research analysis.