American Pacific Mortgage

American Pacific Mortgage

Monday, December 28, 2015

The Ideal New Year's Resolution: A Living Trust

As most of you know, I was married in August. One of the first things Steve and I did is to update our joint Living Trust document, Wills, Powers of Attorney and Advanced Medical Directives, and update the vesting of our real estate.

I am passionate about utilizing Living Trusts, especially here in California…for anyone who owns a home or has children. Here are some of the things to consider:

1. Appoint short-term and long-term guardians for any minor children.

2. Review the title of your home to make sure it is vested properly; Either in your Trust, OR in Community Property with Rights of Survivorship, if you are married and don't have a trust.

3. Make sure you know where all important documents are located; whether your life insurance policy is up-to-date and has proper beneficiary designations, and whether any joint tenant property (bank/investment accounts) or other "transfer on death" type of assets are up-to-date.

4. Leave medical instructions, written down, for your family, on what to do if you are incapacitated.

5. Appoint someone to make both medical and financial decisions on your behalf, if you were to be incapacitated. (Medical Directive and Power of Attorney)

6. And last, but certainly not least, have legal instruments on how to properly distribute both personal and real property, and who will be charged with making those decisions. (Trustee if held in Trust, or Executor of your Estate if you are using only a Will)

An experienced Estate Planning attorney will be able to discuss the above items and help you to make the decision that is best for both you and your family. I would be happy to refer you to an attorney to assist you in this endeavor and provide you with peace of mind in the coming year. I promise you that is is far less costly to create a trust vs. using just a Will, or dying intestate. (without a will) Probate is costly and takes a long time, and a judge has to approve everything that is dispersed.

Happy New Year to all, and please make this a priority!

Karen

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

My Holiday Event Picks - All Around SoCal

BOAT PARADES:

Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights, December 11th, 12th, 18th and 19th – 7:30 p.m.

Huntington Harbor Boat Parade and Philharmonic Cruise of Lights, December 12th and 13th, 5:15 p.m.

Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade, Saturday December 12th - 5:55 fireworks and Parade is 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Channel Islands Harbor Parade of Lights, Saturday December 12th – 7:00 p.m.

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights, December 16th – 20th 6:30 p.m.

Ventura Harbor Holiday Parade of Lights & fireworks, Friday December 18th and Saturday the 19th – 6:30 p.m.

King Harbor Holiday Boat Parade, December 12th 3:00 p.m. Concert and 5:45 boat parade

Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights, December 12th

Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of lights, December 12th

Port of San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, December 13th and 20th, 5:30 p.m.

CULTURAL EVENTS:

Westlake Village Symphony Christmas Concert, Friday December 4th - 8:00 p.m.

The Nutcracker, Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, December 12th and 13th

A Christmas Carol, South Coast Repertory Theater, through December 27th

Handel’s Messiah, Segerstrom Concert Hall, December 6th

A Child’s Christmas in Wales, Camino Real Playhouse, through December 20th

The Nutcracker, ABT at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, December 10th – 20th

A Swingin’ Christmas: The Count Basie Orchestra, Disney Concert Hall December 21st – 8:00 p.m.

Tis the Season, Pacific Chorale at OCPAC, December 20th and 21st

OTHER FUN FAMILY STUFF!

Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade, December 5th – 5:45 p.m.

Corona Del Mar Christmas Walk, December 6th – 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm.

Santa Barbara Zoo -- Open on December 25th –!

Pershing Square Ice Rink with DJ’s, December through January 18th

Chanuka Festival, Ventura Harbor Village, Sunday December 13th – 2:00 p.m.

Janss Marketplace Holiday lights and Music Spectacular, December 11th to 24th – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Venice Canals Holiday Lights Tour, December 15th to January 4th – 2:00 to 5:30 p.m.

LA Zoo Lights, including reindeer, at the LA Zoo, December through January 3rd, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Griffith Park Holiday Light Festival Train Ride, Month of December, 5:00 to 9:00

San Diego Botanic Garden of Lights, December 26th – 30th, 5:00 to 9:00

Sawdust Festival Winter Fantasy, Laguna Beach, weekends through December 20th, 10:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m.

Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train with Santa, through December 23rd, www.irvineparkrailroad.com

Great Dry Land Yacht Parade, Villa Park, December 13th 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

This is a photo in downtown Dallas at the Klyde Warren Park, with Museum Tower in the background, from last December.

I am wishing you all a fabulous holiday season filled with fun and family!