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James Harden Trade News Is a Useful Reminder: High Income, Big Contracts, and Sudden Change Require Estate Planning

James Harden Trade News Is a Useful Reminder: High Income, Big Contracts, and Sudden Change Require

Sports trade news moves fast. So does real life.

When a major athlete is traded, the headlines highlight a familiar theme: income, contracts, and future plans can change overnight. For California families, that same reality applies to business owners, executives, medical professionals, and anyone whose finances include high income, bonuses, or complex assets.

If you are a California resident (or you manage California-based assets) and you want a clear plan that protects your family and reduces court involvement, this article explains why estate planning should not wait.

Source: ESPN — Clippers deal James Harden to Cavs, land Darius Garland

Who This Is For

This is for Californians asking:

  • “If something happens to me, will my family have to go to probate?”
  • “How can I protect my kids if my income stops tomorrow?”
  • “What does a living trust actually do in California?”
  • “How do I plan if I have a business, real estate, or large investment accounts?”

    • What the News Illustrates (Beyond Basketball)

    Trade reporting often includes:

  • Current performance.
  • Contract value.
  • Future options.
  • Long-term career uncertainty.

    • That mirrors many modern financial lives. The estate planning takeaway is simple:

    If your life and finances are dynamic, your plan needs to be explicit and updated.

    Estate Planning Problems That Show Up With High Income and Complex Assets

    When wealth grows quickly, common gaps include:

  • No incapacity plan
  • Probate exposure
  • Minor children with no clear protection structure
  • Blended family risk
  • Beneficiary mismatches

    • Answer-Style FAQs

    Do I need a trust in California if I have a will?

    Many families use a revocable living trust to reduce probate risk for major assets, especially a home. Whether it is appropriate depends on your asset profile and goals.

    What happens if I become incapacitated without documents?

    Loved ones may need court involvement (such as a conservatorship) to manage finances or make decisions. A power of attorney and health care directive can reduce that risk.

    How do I protect kids if I have significant assets?

    A trust can hold and manage assets for children with distribution rules that fit the family’s values, rather than distributing everything at 18.

    Practical Checklist (If Your Life Is Financially “High Velocity”)

  • Review whether your California home is titled into your trust.
  • Confirm beneficiaries on 401(k)s, IRAs, and life insurance.
  • Make sure you have a durable financial power of attorney.
  • Make sure you have an advance health care directive.
  • Review guardian nominations if you have minor children.
  • Review the plan after major changes: marriage, divorce, new child, major raise, business sale.

    • How California Probate and Trust, PC Helps

    At California Probate and Trust, PC, we serve California families who want transparency, family protection, and a one-stop legal team that handles:

  • Estate planning (trusts, wills, incapacity documents).
  • Probate representation when a loved one passes without a plan.
  • Trust administration support for successor trustees.

    • Schedule a Free Consultation

    If you want to reduce probate risk and create a plan your family can actually follow, we can help.

  • Call (866) 674-1130
  • Or visit cpt.law

    • Legal Disclaimer

    This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Estate planning and probate outcomes depend on specific facts and current law. For advice tailored to your circumstances, consult a qualified California attorney.