A loved one named you as the executor of their will and personal representative of their estate. It is important to understand the roles and duties that lay ahead of you. There are many responsibilities that make up this role. So, it may be helpful to speak with an...
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Trustees Executors & Fiduciaries
What you should know when choosing your executor
When you sit down to hammer out your estate plan, you have a lot of important decisions to make. In addition to where you want your assets to go, you also have to make healthcare decisions for yourself and try to foresee all possible eventualities. In the midst of all...
5 things personal representatives should know
Your loved one has chosen you to be the personal representative of their estate. It is an honor to be trusted with managing the assets they cherish the most – but it is also a big responsibility. Acting as a personal representative can be a challenging job. So, here...
Your loved one left behind a pet: What happens now?
Losing a loved one can be overwhelmingly emotional. And if your loved one named you as their personal representative – or the executor of their will – you often also face an additional level of stress on top of your grief as you begin the probate process. Then, as you...
SNT trustees must protect eligibility for benefits
In past blog posts, we discussed the important duties individuals have when chosen to be a trustee. Trustees of a special needs trust (SNT) share these same responsibilities, but they also have additional duties to meet the needs of the beneficiary of an SNT. For...
Can Executors turn down the job?
It can be an honor if a loved one named you as the executor of their will, also referred to as a personal representative. It means they trust you to handle their most important affairs and carry out their wishes. However, acting as an executor is often a tough and...
How do you close a probate estate?
It is no secret that the probate of an estate can be a long and complicated process. There are several details families must be aware of and steps a personal representative must complete to bring the estate to a condition for it to be closed and distribute the assets...
Trustees: Keeping detailed records is critical
Taking on the role of a trustee is a great responsibility. In the past, we have discussed the particular legal duties that trustees have when administering a trust in California. However, another essential task all trustees should complete is keeping records...
What are the elements of a trustee’s fiduciary duty?
Most individuals chosen to serve as the trustee of a loved one's trust understand that they have a specific set of duties to fulfill. Together, these responsibilities make up the fiduciary duty. Trustees have a fiduciary duty to the beneficiaries to act in their best...
Healthcare agents must be prepared
Unfortunately, there is no way to predict when a medical emergency could happen. But Californians can take measures to plan for situations like these. When an individual gives someone they trust healthcare powers of attorney, they also give that person the...