When your family member files a petition for probate after a loved one’s death, the initial reaction is often relief because there is an executor who will handle the estate. But when months pass without updates or you suspect the …
Most of us grew up learning that promises matter. We teach our children to keep their word and expect others to honor commitments made to us. But what happens when a loved one verbally promises you an inheritance and then passes a…
When a loved one passes away, and a trust holds the family home, emotions often run high. For many families in California, that home represents more than an asset; it represents memories, security and a deep sense of identity. So …
When a person dies, the estate pays off bills before family members receive any money. In California, the person in charge of the estate manages this process. Knowing what to pay first helps families understand why getting an inhe…
All adults should have an estate plan that outlines what they want to happen with their assets when they pass away. A will is one option that’s available to do this. Because a will is a legal document that might need to be enforce…
Part of making an estate plan may include making future medical decisions. One way to do this is with a living will. It allows you to make decisions in advance about things like using a feeding tube, being kept on life support, be…
When someone dies here in California, their estate must go through probate before any assets can be passed on to their heirs and beneficiaries. Part of that process involves the estate paying off any outstanding claims from credit…
People create trusts for many different purposes. Those who want to provide support for a family member with special needs might fund a trust. People concerned about creditor claims against their personal property might establish …
It is important that a person’s last wishes are respected after they pass away. However, there may be issues with a will or how a will was created that can leave loved ones confused and worried about how the deceased’s estate is m…
People often assume that their beneficiaries may get into estate disputes over major items. Maybe their parents’ house is incredibly valuable, and some beneficiaries want to keep it, while others simply want to sell it so they can…
Undue influence is sometimes a reason for litigation over an estate plan, a will, or even a trust. Essentially, it is an allegation that someone else influenced the person who was creating that plan. They would not have set the pl…
When a person creates an estate plan, they have to decide who will be the executor of their estate. This is the person who will handle the administrative duties once the creator dies. It’s critical that they name a person who can …
