When most people think of the California estate planning process, they imagine legal documents that have been typed with a space at the bottom for signatures. Regarding a last will and testament, however, this is not the only type of will there is. In fact, there are...
Compassionate And Competent
Year: 2023
Bequeathing assets in an estate plan, will versus trust
Many people in California and beyond intend to leave their loved ones something of value when they die. An inheritance is a gift that, in some cases, keeps on giving for a lifetime, such as when a business owner passes the company to an heir, through succession. When...
An overview of the probate process
One of the most difficult tasks left to loved ones and family members after a death is settling the estate of the deceased. This could mean cleaning out a house, paying final bills and making sure that assets go to the right places. For many estates, probate is a...
Executing a will as part of estate planning
Whether you consider your California estate simple and basic or complex and high-net-worth, you can protect your assets and provide for your loved ones’ futures by crafting a solid estate plan. While there are state laws that must be met for estate documents to be...
What should be in your health care power of attorney?
It can be difficult and emotional to make important decisions about your future. You may not want to think about what could happen if you face incapacitation for any reason, but it is critical to think about these things. By having a plan in place, you can feel...
Conservatorship is not just for the elderly
If you have a family member who is incapacitated due to mental or physical illness or injury, it’s understandable that you want to access as many resources as are available to help you provide for your loved one’s needs. Certain steps can be taken to create a support...
Priscilla Presley versus granddaughter in probate litigation
In California and elsewhere, Priscilla Presley is a household name. As the former wife of Elvis Presley, affectionately dubbed “The King of Rock and Roll,” her name, as well as her daughter’s (Lisa Marie) are known throughout the world. Music fans who have followed...
Lawsuit filed during probate of Anne Heche’s estate
In August, a California woman was working from home when an automobile suddenly came crashing through her walls. She says she nearly died that day. Her home caught fire when the car ignited in flames. The woman has since filed a $2 million lawsuit against the estate...
Creating an advance directive for a California estate plan
A person might have certain preferences that he or she wants to be carried out when nearing the end of life. For instance, one individual might not want to be resuscitated if his or her heart stops. Another person might be comfortable with the idea of having a feeding...
Does your estate’s executor need to be your adult child?
In many cases, a responsible adult child will effectively administer a parent’s estate. Those responsibilities are many and include paying outstanding taxes and debt, distributing assets such as money from retirement investments, bank and money market accounts, and...