Cryptocurrency has become an important part of many investment portfolios. Yet many owners focus on buying, selling or holding coins without considering what happens in the event of death or incapacity. Unlike traditional financial accounts, cryptocurrencies often...
Settling an estate during probate involves more than distributing assets to beneficiaries. California law requires the estate to pay certain debts and expenses in a specific order. This priority system ensures fair treatment of all claims. Understanding this process...
Personal representatives or executors have a lot on their plates after someone dies. They must locate and submit a will to the probate courts for authentication or validate that no written estate plan exists. They need to identify heirs or beneficiaries, communicate...
One thing that significantly increases the odds of a dispute between family members after a parent passes away is if that parent did not have an estate plan. This can lead to numerous conflicts and disputes between surviving family members and beneficiaries. The...
Most adults understand that they need a will. However, a significant percentage of people never get around to drafting one. They tell themselves they need to wait until they reach certain milestones or simply put it off as something to handle in the indefinite future....
Estate plans are highly personalized and must be set up based solely on the creator’s wishes. When you’re creating your estate plan, you’ll have to think about how you’re going to get your assets to your loved ones. This is sometimes challenging. One option that you...
As you make your estate plan, if you have a beneficiary with special needs, it may be wise to set up a special needs trust. This is a way to give them an inheritance. Instead of giving it to them directly, as you would with a will, you put the money into a trust and...
If you’re serving as an executor, chances are you didn’t ask for the job. Someone you loved trusted you with the responsibility, and now you’re navigating legal deadlines, creditor claims and beneficiary expectations, all while still grieving. It’s unfamiliar...
The main priority for many people planning their estates is to ensure the right people inherit their most valuable property and prevent their loved ones from fighting over their assets. Most people prioritize their high-value resources, including financial accounts,...
Probate courts help oversee estate administration to ensure compliance with testamentary instruments and state statutes. They can determine if a will is valid when there are concerns about the document and intervene when personal representatives fail to uphold their...