Blog – Blue Water Estate Planning

Estate Planning for Travelers: What to Pack, What to Sign, Who Needs What

Traveling soon? Don’t forget your legal checklist. Learn what documents to pack, how to protect your family, and why timing matters for Powers of Attorney.

Can My Agent Override My Life Support or Organ Donation Wishes?

This is one of the most common—and important—questions we hear when helping clients complete their Advance Health Care Directives (AHCDs). So let’s clear up how it works, what powers your agent really has, and how you can ensure your wishes are honored exactly as you intend. Understanding Your Agent...

🌷 Spring Cleaning Your Estate Plan: Why It’s Essential to Review Your Estate Plan Every Year—and What to Update in 2025

Spring is all about fresh starts. While you’re decluttering closets and reorganizing your calendar, don’t forget one important area that deserves your attention: your estate plan. Just like your home needs seasonal upkeep, your estate plan needs regular care. And we’re not just talking about big rev...

Would You Fall for This? How to Spot Today’s Most Convincing Scams

Learn how to recognize and avoid today's most convincing scams—from grandparent fraud to crypto cons. Real tips from federal prosecutors. Stay protected.

California’s 2025 Small Estate Affidavit: A Game-Changer for Probate Avoidance

California’s new small estate affidavit law (AB 2016) takes effect April 1, 2025, making it easier to transfer assets without probate. Learn about the updated thresholds, filing process, and why a living trust is still the best estate planning option

Who Needs a Special Needs Trust? How to Protect Your Loved One’s Future Without Losing Benefits

A Special Needs Trust helps secure your loved one’s future while preserving Medi-Cal & SSI benefits. Learn the differences between first-party, third-party, and pooled trusts—plus why leaving money to a sibling may not be the best option.

Will My Mortgage Be Called Due If I Put My Home in a Trust? (Spoiler: No, Thanks to This Law!)

Worried that putting your home in a trust will trigger your mortgage's due-on-sale clause? Thanks to the Garn-St. Germain Act, your lender can’t accelerate your loan. Learn how to protect your home and avoid probate with a revocable living trust

Estate Planning Chats: Making the Most of Holiday Gatherings

Thanksgiving: A Season for Family, Gratitude, Pie and… Estate Planning? Yes, you read that right. While Thanksgiving is synonymous with turkey and gratitude, it can also be an ideal time to broach the often-dodged topic of estate planning. When families gather, it creates a rare opportunity fo...

Why Guardian Nominations in California Are a Must-Have for Parents

Introduction Guardian nominations might sound like a complex legal term, but they’re crucial if you’re a parent in California. It’s your fail-safe, ensuring your kids are taken care of by someone you trust, should the unthinkable happen. Let’s break down why you need one, wha...

5 Essential Tips for Leaving Children at Home

Setting off on a journey or planning an evening out without the kids can be a thrilling yet nerve-wracking experience. Proper preparation can ease your mind and ensure your children are safe and comfortable. Here are five detailed tips for when you have to leave your little ones behind: 1. Have Nece...