As we age, our cognitive abilities will naturally decline. At first, the signs of this decline are relatively mild such as forgetting where the remote is or forgetting to wear a jacket when it's cold outside. Depending on how bad your condition gets, you may need to...
Results-Oriented: Creative, Strategic And Skilled Legal Techniques
Year: 2023
How does ancillary probate work?
Sometimes the probate process that occurs after a person’s death can become much more complicated. This is often the case in the state of California where certain residents may own property that exists in other states. Navigating such a probate case can be difficult...
Can you sue a trustee?
Many trusts are operating in California, and these are designed to oversee a massive amount of assets in a variety of ways. Trustees are the people who hold legal responsibility for managing trusts. Most trustees manage these trusts with diligence and propriety....
Preparing for the death or incapacitation of an executor
The death of a loved one is an unfortunate but unavoidable time for families throughout California. One way people can provide for their loved ones after passing away is with a proper estate plan. And there's almost no more vital role in someone's estate plan than the...
Word worth in estate planning
Estate planning in California is essential to protecting your family’s financial future. However, believing what anyone says without question can lead to costly mistakes, especially in trust litigation. To clarify, it is essential to understand the concept of word...
What does a probate judge do to administer an estate?
In California, the role of a probate judge is crucial in ensuring a smooth transfer of assets to a decedent's heirs. Probate judges ensure the settlement of the estate's debts and asset distribution according to the deceased's wishes. These judges also handle estates...
What happens when an estate is insolvent?
Being named the executor of an estate in California involves many duties. Chief among them will be the responsibility to ensure that all debts owed by the estate are paid off in a timely and full manner. You must also ensure that all people named beneficiaries receive...
Strategies for challenging a power of attorney
Financial planners encourage people in California to execute power of attorney (POA) documents in case of an unforeseen emergency. The POA allows the principal to name an agent to act on their behalf in financial and/or healthcare matters. The document generally takes...
Are trusts valid in all states?
Many California residents include trusts in their estate plans because they give them greater control over how their estates will be administered and allow their assets to be distributed without first going through the probate process. Trusts are flexible estate...
The role of heirs-at-law in an estate
If a California resident dies without a will, there are laws in place that determine who inherits their property. These individuals are known as "heirs-at-law." Identifying heirs-at-law is also important in determining who can challenge a will or another aspect of an...