Tom LaVoie

Accounting

California Conservatorship Accounting: What the Court Actually Expects

Most families don't realize the financial reporting obligations that come with being appointed conservator of...
Family conflict

When Your Loved One Refuses Help: Fiduciary Options for Resistant Adults

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes A parent insisting they're "fine" while bills go unpaid and...
Funding your Trust

2025 Annual Gift Tax Exclusion: Why Giving Now Can Be Smarter Than Waiting

When people think about estate planning, the focus is usually on what happens after death—wills,...
Medical team for long-term care.

Long-Term Care Planning: Protecting Assets While Getting the Care You Need

As the population ages and healthcare costs continue to rise, more families are facing difficult...
Elderly person holding a wooden cane with a caregiver's supportive hand.

Red Flags of Financial Elder Abuse (with a 10-Question Self-Test)

What is Financial Elder Abuse? Financial elder abuse (or financial exploitation of older adults) happens...
Golden retriever holding a rolled newspaper in its mouth against a pink background.

Myths & Facts About Professional Fiduciaries

Myths & Facts About Professional Fiduciaries (California 2025 Edition)Separating rumor from reality so you can...
A hand truck carrying a cardboard box shaped like a house.

Building a ‘Grab-and-Go’ Financial Binder for Emergencies

A 60-minute project that can save months of chaos when disaster—or sudden hospitalization—strikes. Why every...
A classic brass balance scale with two empty pans.

Trust vs Will Whats the Difference and Why It Matters in California

When Californians ask whether they “just need a will,” the real question is how easily—and...
A row of legal books neatly arranged on a shelf.

How a Revocable Living Trust Actually Avoids Probate

Skip the year-long court slog and five-figure statutory fees—here’s the play-by-play of what a properly...
Family holding hands on the beach at sunset.

Dynasty Family Trusts Protecting Wealth for Multiple Generations

A dynasty trust lets today’s dollars work for your great-grandchildren—while sidestepping probate, estate tax “sunsetâ€...