Buying a home changes the composition of your estate. A will, trust or beneficiary designation written before the purchase may not account for the new property. Reviewing these documents soon after closing helps protect the home and the people intended to benefit from...
When someone dies while holding an active business or professional license, the executor or estate administrator may need to address that license during probate. In California, the steps depend on the type of license, the licensing board and state law. Who should be...
You have been appointed executor. The estate may have unpaid debts. California law sets out duties for handling creditor claims before you distribute assets. Taking the right steps can help you address valid debts while protecting the estate from improper payments....
Naming beneficiaries is an important part of an estate plan. But what happens if someone you named dies before you? The answer may depend on your will or trust, the type of asset involved and your relationship with the deceased beneficiary. Your estate plan may...
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...