The concept of probate alone can be stressful to think about. Since it is a process that only occurs after the loss of a loved one, many people are not aware of the details. So, many people hear the myths about probate and worry about what that could mean for their...
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What are your inheritance rights as a stepchild?
Nowadays, blended families are the norm. Divorce rates for people over 50 have slowly been increasing in the last two decades, and second marriages are much more common after divorce or the death of a spouse. However, even as more California families become blended...
What should an inventory of your loved one’s estate include?
Many articles explaining the probate process, and even this blog, often state just how important it is for personal representatives and surviving family members to create an inventory of their loved one’s property. It is not only necessary for the probate...
When people won’t leave a home that’s part of a California estate
Real estate holdings are often the most coveted assets involved in an estate. When a loved one dies, they may choose to leave the family home to one person or more specific persons. They may also direct the executor of their estate to sell the home and split the...
Do you understand what happens during probate?
It doesn't matter if you're creating an estate plan in California or facing the probate process after the death of a loved one, it's critical to understand the finer details to ensure yourself of making all the right decisions. There are times when the probate process...
Do I have a right to inherit from my parents?
If one or both of your parents have passed away, it is likely that they will have assets for distribution. As their child, you may expect that you will automatically be owed a share of the estate. While this is understandable, unfortunately, your right to inheritance...
Understanding intestacy laws in California
It is recommended that people plan their estate as early as possible because passing away without a will can lead to complex issues. When a person dies without an estate plan, this is known legally as dying intestate. When a person in California dies intestate, their...
Signs it’s time to move your loved one to a nursing home
Making the decision to move a loved one into a nursing care facility might be one of the most difficult choices you ever make. Generally, no one likes the idea of uprooting an elderly parent from the home they have lived in for decades and moving them to a strange and...
Duties assigned as part of an estate plan
People who create an estate plan will usually set an executor and powers of attorney designations. For the people who are named in these positions, understanding what they mean is important. There are specific duties that must be handled properly. Failing to do these...
Do you understand intestate succession in blended families?
When someone dies without a will, the California probate courts will have to handle the distribution of assets. People call this process "intestate succession." Thankfully, there are relatively clear-cut laws in place in the state that guide the courts in dividing the...