If you are writing a will, you may be thinking about who to appoint as executor for your California estate. This is often a spouse or an adult child, but if there is not anyone suitable, you could consider a corporate executor. The job of the executor Appointing the...
Probate in California is one of the legal processes that can allow people to purchase real estate. It is the means by which the court system auctions off real estate that was left behind by people who pass away without a will. Probate is also a way for executors or...
The probate process involves federal law, California law, California Rules of Court, and Local Rules. On top of that, sometimes there are international issues, and then there non-rule-based issues like communicating with court staff and judges. Frankly, there is no...
Depending on the case, the beneficiary of an estate and even another interested party can take action against an executor. Beneficiaries (or heirs) rely on an executor to administer assets and close out an estate. These individuals have a right to sue an executor (or...
In California, the probate process involves proving whether a will is valid. Once a will gets validated, the probate court appoints an executor or an administrator to oversee the distribution process. When there is no will or there is no person named in the will who...
If a deceased loved one died with assets titled in his or her name, that person's estate will likely be subject to probate. If this person lived in California, then California law dictates how the deceased person's property is administered. California law also...
Setting up a trust can better ensure the following of your wishes when it comes time to settle your final affairs. Of course, at this time, you will no longer be around to administer the trust yourself, so it is important that you have a successor trustee appointed to...
When you created your comprehensive estate plan, you had the idea of it lasting the rest of your life. Unfortunately, things very rarely work out this way. Life changes fast, and your plan needs to reflect that fact. All too often, loved ones discover someone has an...
Many people make the mistake of assuming estate planning is something only older people need to do. California estate planning laws exist to help adults at every stage of their lives, from your 20s to your 60s and beyond. The only difference is the estate planning...
Creating a living trust is one of the simplest ways to ensure a smooth transition of ownership of critical assets after your death. In fact, a trust can even give you extra protection as you age, as it can allow for the oversight of a trustee when you can no longer...