Probate. You’ve heard this term tossed around by attorneys and finance professionals. Everyone says it’s annoying, time-consuming, and that you need to avoid it. But what is it? Probate is the court-supervised legal process of validating the will (if one exists) of someone who passed away, paying their debts and taxes, and distributing their remaining assets to heirs or beneficiaries according to the will or state law. Probate court is […]
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There are many nuances to consider when it comes to the statutes of limitations and deadlines involved in an inheritance claim. In the case of California state law, deadlines can range from 120 days from the moment you are notified of a testator passing away, to essentially none, depending on the circumstances, with the whole process typically taking around 9 months. That’s why knowing what is involved is critical to […]
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What is An Omitted Spouse? When a spouse dies, the will or trust most commonly provides that their surviving spouse will receive all or most of their property and assets. The presumption that a surviving spouse should receive something is so strong that California law protects the surviving spouse even if they aren’t mentioned in the will or trust. Under California law, such a spouse is considered to be an “omitted spouse.” […]
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We’ve all heard horror stories about families that fall apart after the death of a parent. Siblings stop talking with each other or even end up suing each other. A son or a daughter cuts a parent out of his or her life. Obviously, the reasons for such breakups vary. But in my experience, the primary reason is that the death of a parent almost always raises difficult and emotional […]
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One of the most responsible and loving gifts a parent or spouse can provide is an estate plan that clearly articulates the distribution of assets after their death. A solid estate plan can eliminate the probate process, protect wealth, minimize or eliminate taxes, and deliver financial security for generations to come. The wishes of the deceased are assessed, addressed through estate planning, often utilizing trusts. Without a plan, all assets and debts must […]
Read MoreLet’s talk about elder financial abuse and undue influence, and let’s start with a hypothetical scenario. Bill is an only child. Upon his father’s death, he learns that his dad’s last will leaves a third of his estate to a woman called Leeanne. Bill is stunned. His father had long been telling him that he is his sole heir. And as for Leeanne — yes, she entertained his dad by […]
Read MoreAre double damages under Probate Code Section 859 tantamount to punitive damages? No, not according to an opinion that the Alameda Court of Appeals recently published. Why does it matter? Because the ruling and the legal strategies leading up to the decision hold valuable lessons for almost anyone who has anything to inherit. The case in question, Hill v. Superior Court, shows not only how probate litigation can lead to […]
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“You should avoid probate.” This is one the most common refrains you hear when you talk to a wills and trusts lawyer or financial advisor. In fact, they have done such a good job emphasizing the evils associated with the probate process that even sophisticated people mistakenly believe that, once they set up a trust or estate plan, they don’t have to do anything else once someone passes When done […]
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