Losing a spouse, a life partner, is unimaginable. You are left facing grief and stress. Not to mention, endless questions. After all, there are legal matters to address on top of the emotional turmoil. Here are three critical questions to address in this situation....
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Los Angeles Probate & Estate Administration Law Blog
What if the will is lost?
Losing a loved one is never easy, and dealing with legal matters during this time can add to the stress. If you are the personal representative or executor of the estate, it may be your responsibility to start the probate process. But what happens if the original will...
How do you get your parents to start planning?
Life gets busy. The to-do list may seem never-ending, and the matter of planning for the future can fall lower on the list each day. However, this is a trend that seems to be widespread. This past March, Forbes reported that there has been a significant decrease in...
How can you emotionally prepare for probate?
The probate of a loved one’s estate brings with it a long list of things to do, documents to file and assets to locate. All of this is on top of the reality of losing someone you love. There is no question that this can be an overwhelming time for California families....
What happens to royalties in probate?
In the Los Angeles area, the topic of intellectual property (IP) and any royalties from such property is always relevant. However, what happens to those rights and royalties when the person who owned them passes away? Some of the steps are similar to other assets Much...
How do you take responsibility for an elderly parent?
Your parents helped you take your first steps, and they held your hand when you faced stressful times. As your parents age, the roles start to reverse, and you become the one helping them with daily tasks and being there for them. This role reversal can be...
Could beneficiary designations be up for debate?
There are many assets that can pass from one person directly to another after they pass away – by making use of beneficiary designations. The owner of an account can list a beneficiary, who obtains ownership of the account without it having to pass through probate....
What if you face family conflict in probate?
As we have discussed in previous blog posts, the stress and pain of losing a loved one can place a significant amount of strain on a family. As emotions run high, it increases the risk of disagreements between family members – particularly when it comes to the...
Is the will valid if your loved one has dementia?
One essential detail of creating a will – or any estate planning document – is testamentary capacity. Put simply, this means that the person who creates the will must have a sound mind. This aspect can come into question if a loved one faces a dementia diagnosis. Your...
Is probate complicated?
There is no doubt that the aftermath of losing a loved one is overwhelming. You and your family may struggle with complex emotions – but will you have to navigate a complex legal process as well? In many cases, probate may be necessary in California to validate a...