attorney

Teresa J Rhyne

Teresa J. Rhyne is an attorney practicing in estate planning and trust administration in Riverside and Paso Robles. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of “The Dog Lived (and So Will I).”

Should you make charitable gifts in 2025 or 2026?

December 28, 2025 at 5:01 a.m.

It's the season of giving, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be tax savvy about your giving.

It’s not uncommon for people to leave their mess for others to clean up, including their estate and finances. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Don’t leave your financial mess behind

November 23, 2025 at 5:01 a.m.

You wouldn’t leave your dog’s mess behind, so don’t leave a mess of your own.

When money buys you unhappiness

October 25, 2025 at 5:01 a.m.

Certain actions people take in their wills or trusts will likely cause unhappiness among heirs and beneficiaries.

Without a will or trust in place, your estate will be distributed in a probate proceeding to your “next of kin” pursuant to the intestacy laws of California. (iStockphoto/Getty Images)

How do you plan your estate when you have no family?

September 28, 2025 at 5:01 a.m.

If your trust assets are not particularly valuable or complicated, a trusted friend may be a suitable trustee.

What drives estate planning is the need for a carefully thought-out plan for your assets at death, and your legacy, but just as importantly, your care, should you become incapacitated. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

If estate taxes won’t apply, why should you have a trust?

August 31, 2025 at 5:01 a.m.

Only 4,000 estate tax returns were filed in 2023 showing an estate tax due, according to the Tax Policy Center.

Leaving estate assets to grandchildren can be complex, depending on the number of children and their parents, aunts and uncles. (iStockphoto/GettyImages)

Should your estate plan include your grandkids?

August 3, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

If you have a well drafted living trust, it likely included your grandchildren before their birth.

Wings of Rescue prepares to fly 54 dogs and 22 cats from the Hollywood Burbank Airport to Seattle, Washington on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Long Beach Press-Telegram/SCNG)

So you want to form a nonprofit. Is it the right thing to do?

July 6, 2025 at 5:01 a.m.

You might save yourself some heartache by supporting existing organizations or creating a donor advised fund.

Regardless of your child’s age or the size of your estate, there comes a time when someone will need to know the details of your estate plan—and that time is before you die. (iStockphoto/Getty Images)

Should you tell your kids about your estate?

June 8, 2025 at 5:02 a.m.

Regardless of your child’s age or the size of your estate, there comes a time when someone will need to know the details of your estate plan.

Estate planning documents should reflect life’s circumstances. When those circumstances change, it’s time to look at those documents again. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Have your legal documents kept up with life changes?

May 11, 2025 at 5:09 a.m.

If you’re returning to the workplace, it’s time to review estate documents and a few other items as well.

How you take title to your home will dictate your rights and obligations and, quite possibly, will affect your loved ones’ property ownership rights. (iStockphoto/Getty Images)

Why taking a title on property is not as simple as you think

April 13, 2025 at 5:03 a.m.

How you take title to your home will dictate your rights and obligations and, quite possibly, will affect your loved ones’ property ownership rights.

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