In her FORBES column, tax expert Kelly Phillips Erb described recently the nightmares and glitches that can occur when the IRS, an airline, or even the DMV disagrees with how your name is spelled, capitalized, hyphenated, or just appears differently from what they have on record.  It’s not really about mistaken identity, but mistakes about identity.

Estate planning attorneys everywhere– including myself–seem to be in agreement on this one.  Because the wrong name, even if it is the right person, can cause tremendous difficulties.  And that’s in all phases of life, but especially in matters relating to creating and executing a person’s estate plan.

Suppose you get married or divorced, and change your name legally…but you forget to update your estate plan?  Or you become a famous performer using a stage name, and forget to make corresponding changes to your legal documents?  Or the person you have named as a guardian, executor, or trustee dies, or is no longer part of your life…and again, you forget to update your estate directives?

If names do not match, or designations of certain people made in the past do not “agree” with your present life, so to speak, the California Probate Court, or a judge in any court, may rule against the estate or the matter in question. Or, someone may contest your estate because of who is – or isn’t – named in it. This is why it is essential not only to have your directives legally established in an estate plan, but also to keep that plan up to date with the major changes in your life.

I’m here to help you with all that, and to stay on top of every detail, every name, and every issue that affects your future directives for your loved ones and the assets in your estate.  Whether you need to get started with a comprehensive plan or just update your existing documents, please give me a call and we can get started.   That way you won’t have to worry that a misplaced hyphen or misguided ex-spouse could jeopardize your plans for the future. To schedule a consultation, please contact us at 818.956.9200.

Glendale Location

616 E. Glenoaks Boulevard, Suite 203

Glendale, CA 91207

Sherman Oaks Location

15303 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 900

Sherman Oaks, CA 91403