Failing to craft a will or estate plan is a common mistake. Sadly, it will leave decisions about your family and assets to be decided by the courts rather than by you. To prevent this, consider establishing your will or planning your estate early. Devising a will or estate plan with an experienced attorney is your first step in a somewhat challenging process. Help from an attorney may mean your estate can avoid probate altogether. […]

As you plan for your financial future, it is important to consider how the probate process will impact any inheritance you plan to receive—or, conversely, how probate will affect the assets you leave behind for your loved ones. In California, the probate process can be lengthy, expensive, and stressful for heirs, potentially reducing the value of the estate and causing unnecessary disputes among family members as tedious proceedings drag on for months or years. Here […]

The probate process can be a daunting and overwhelming experience, especially for those who have never gone through it before. In California, as in many other states, probate is legally mandated in certain circumstances, but there are actually ways to avoid it for certain situations and particular types of assets. Understanding The California Probate Process Probate is a special court process that occurs after someone who owns property or holds financial assets dies. Probate involves […]

Sometimes, when a loved one or other relative dies, there are other conditions, either in the will or around a will, that require the court to become involved in the process. Probate is the process by which the court settles an estate. Probate can occur for many reasons. These include proving the validity of a will, settling debts and taxes, or appointing a legal representative for the deceased. In complicated situations, it can also be […]

Evaluating property and determining who receives it is an important part of the probate process. Sometimes, if a decedent owned property in multiple states, the process of ancillary probate must be initiated to settle the estates in those states. Although seemingly confusing, ancillary probate can be easy to understand. What Is Ancillary Probate? During the probate process, a decedent’s assets are divided between the beneficiaries named in their will. Secondary probate, also referred to as […]

When drafting a will, parents of younger children will typically name individuals who will become the guardians of those children if the parents pass away. For those who are caretakers of adults who are unable to live independently, it is imperative to understand and establish a limited conservatorship for these loved ones. This can reinforce the independence they need to live fulfilling lives. What Is a Conservatorship? In a conservatorship, the court assesses the fragility […]