Sometimes, people make decisions when drafting their estate plan that they don't discuss with their family. They may want to avoid the conflict inherent in telling a child that their sibling is getting more money than them or that they're leaving the bulk of their...
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Estate Administration
4 important steps for estate accounting
When a loved one passes away and leaves you in charge of their estate, you need to start with a general accounting process that focuses specifically on all of the little details. Every penny matters. You need to know where it went, how it got used and why it got used...
Dying intestate sets specific succession plans for assets
People often hear about the need to create a will, but some people don't pay attention to what happens when a person dies and there isn't one in place. When there isn't an estate plan in place, the person is said to have died intestate. California laws govern who is...
Stan Lee’s estate was mired in conflict before his death
Even though he lived to the ripe old age of 95, fans around the world were still devastated by the death of Stan Lee in Los Angeles earlier this month. As one of the creators of X-Men, Spider-Man, Black Panther, The Incredible Hulk and the Marvel Universe, Lee's...
How much should the executor of a California estate plan be paid?
Your older sister was named the executor of your father's estate. Your dad was your last living parent. You were fine with her having that job. She's a retired realtor who at one point in her life worked on Wall Street. Therefore, she had the time and the skills to...
Evicting a squatter could be your only option
When your loved one is not living at their residential property, it leaves it open for people to take advantage of. This is particularly true in cases where they may not have anyone taking care of the property. If you stop at the home and see that other people are...
What is California’s Uniform Trust Decanting Act?
Your mother named you the executor of her estate. She had a detailed estate plan when she died. However, she hadn't gotten around to updating her plan to take into account some issues that arose after the plan was put in place. For example, your brother has developed...
Will challenges based on lack of testamentary capacity
Most California wills go through probate without any challenges. However, there are some grounds on which family members, heirs or others who believe they should have been included in the will can challenge them. One of the most common reasons for a will challenge...
How to handle an estate properly as executor in California
When someone loves you and trust you, he or she may be willing to entrust you with important responsibilities. That could include naming you as the executor of one's estate in the last will or estate plan. Typically, people tend to discuss this decision with family...
What happens to tenants after a property owner dies?
As people get older, they often share their home with others. Sometimes these are family members or friends who help care for them so that they can avoid having to move into an assisted living facility. In other cases, they rent out a room or guest house to bring in...