There are a great many estate administration issues that can come up during the initial exam in California. These are issues that can result in a tedious and costly process of probate. One of them can be your failure to resolve issues such as mortgage payments, condo...
Bay Area Estate And Tax Planning Law Firm
Probate And Estate Administration
What does fiduciary duty mean in California?
Many California residents might not be familiar with the term “fiduciary duty,” but it may or may not apply to their everyday life. In short, fiduciary duty refers to the relationship between a fiduciary – such as an employer or lawyer – and the principal slash...
California requirements for changing a will
Every state has different requirements for revoking, contesting or changing a will. There is specific information to learn about the process of changing this document in court. Under California's estate laws, anyone who wishes to change a will has to meet specific...
Preparing for the future is essential when you have children
If you're adopting or having a child in California, guiding them through their early years will help them become responsible adults. However, focusing on raising them should also be combined with a few other elements. Planning for the unexpected can help ensure your...
What does an estate executor do?
You've heard it said that we can't "take it with us" when we pass away. This means we'll likely leave behind lots of documents, financial obligations, or possessions for loved ones to take care of when we die. When you assign someone in your family to take care of...
Probate and estate administration in California
When someone passes away, concerns arise about handling their estate. Hopefully, the individual informed a personal representative that a last will and testament exists. Writing and signing a legal will is part of the estate and probate equation as the document must...
When is a formal probate needed for an estate?
There are a few occasions where a California estate will need to automatically go through a formal probate process. Even if an estate plan doesn't automatically go through probate, there are still reasons where you can send an estate to probate. When does an estate...
US Supreme Court decision could impact estate planning
The Supreme Court’s decision in Clark V. Rameker holding that inherited IRA funds are not exempt in bankruptcy could impact estate planning decisions. In June 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Clark V. Rameker, a case dealing with whether funds in an...
An introduction to the responsibilities of California trustees
On behalf of Connie Yi Legal duties of trustees are complex. A trust is a legal entity created to hold and preserve assets for the benefit of designated beneficiaries. The creator of a trust, called the settlor, appoints a trustee to administer and manage the trust...
How is debt handled in the probate process?
What happens in California to a loved one’s debt in the wake of his or her passing?That is a question often posed to estate planning attorneys, and a query that just as often naturally leads to a spotlighting of the probate process. Narrowly termed, probate is...