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...
Do beneficiaries really sue executors?
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...
What does an executor/administrator do?
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...
What to know about contesting a will
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...
Choosing a family member as a trustee has pros and cons
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 should you update your estate plan?
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...
Estate planning needs for every age group
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...
Plan how to fund your living trust for control and protection
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...
Changes in life should be met with changes in your trust
Even with a trust, your estate plan will likely take months to settle. You want to make sure your alleviate your family’s stress after you’re gone, and keeping things updated can go a long way toward keeping the process as painless as possible. It takes an executor an...
Could a living trust be right for you?
As you create your estate plan, you will have multiple options for how you leave your assets. As you explore the ways you can leave your inheritance, you will probably try to develop a plan that’s cost-effective while being easy for your family. One tool you can use...