The brothers, sisters and father of legendary pop singer Michael Jackson were not named as heirs of their late brother's estate and now the siblings have publicly, but not legally, challenged the validity of Jackson's will. Many legal experts say the famous siblings'...
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Year: 2012
$11 million Los Angeles family estate under watch
The management of a California family's $11 million trust fund is under careful watch by federal law enforcement officials and family members. A probate judge in Los Angeles County recently approved a $50,000 compensation payment to one of the estate trustees, who is...
Protecting adult kids with durable powers of attorney
Teenagers typically do not think about medical directives, guardianships and estate planning. Most California teens and many parents don't realize or recognize that, once a child reaches 18, some health care and financial options are lost. The moment a teen becomes a...
FBI investigates Silicon Valley trust fund thefts
He was her boyfriend and the company controller in her Silicon Valley trust administration business. Unfortunately, the man may also be the embezzler behind a scheme that caused more than $17 million in clients' funds to evaporate. The FBI is tracing the California...
Considering a trust protector for a California estate plan?
The administration of a trust following the death of its creator is usually left to a trustee. However, many legal experts now advise appointing a trust protector as a supplement for a trustee, rather than a replacement. The use of a trust protector is a relatively...
California probate takes up validity of Kinkcade wills
Artist Thomas Kinkcade died of an alcohol overdose last April. He left multiple wills, including two holographic or handwritten wills that are causing a legal dispute. A probate court judge must decide if two letters Kinkcade wrote are valid and whether a court battle...
Help! I’ve been named an executor
When friends or loved ones are creating their estate plan, it generally involves having a will drafted. Another part of this process is choosing the best person to be in charge of executing the will and ensuring that the details of the will are followed, as well as...
Paterno family asks to unseal coach’s will
Wills are rarely hidden from public view. However, some Hollywood celebrities and other famous people request the sealing of a will for privacy. Earlier this year, legendary Penn State University football coach Joe Paterno died of cancer. A county judge sealed...
Conservatorship granted for Reese Witherspoon’s dad
Los Angeles actress Reese Witherspoon and her brother were in probate court last month to request a conservatorship for their 70-year-old father. Reese's mother, Betty Witherspoon, and father, John Witherspoon, have been married for more than 40 years. The couple...
Don’t forget to communicate your estate plans with your children
Planning for our deaths is not high on the priority ladder for most Los Angeles residents. However, as we get older, we begin to come to terms with the inevitable -- our mortality. What more, as parents, it isn't always a pleasant topic of conversation to have with...