Two things in life are certain: death and taxes, which is probably why probate is a word that makes most people cringe. It forces you to consider your own mortality or comes into play after the loss of a loved one. You might find the term unfamiliar or confusing, not understanding what it actually means […]

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Your loved one has passed away. Whether the passing took you by surprise or was expected after a long-term illness, it isn’t easy to deal with their loss. When the only thing you want to do is mourn their death and look to the future, you have to think about their estate. You have to […]

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People often associate the word “conservatorship” with those who have been deemed incapable of handling their own money. In fact, a court may also agree to a conservatorship for people who are not able to properly care for themselves in other facets of their life, such as food, housing and medical treatment. Back in 2008, […]

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Did you know that Los Angeles County holds a monthly auction to sell unclaimed possessions of people who have died? These people either had no will (at least none that could be located) or had a will, but none of the heirs could be found or were alive. Further, no friends or family members claimed […]

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Trusts are a key element of many people’s estate plans. Often they are used to put money or other assets aside for a child or grandchild until they reach a certain age or other milestone. For people who have children or other family members with mental or physical disabilities, they can be used to ensure […]

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As shocking as the death of music icon Prince last month at 57 years old was to millions of fans around the world, the reports that he seems to have left no will or other estate planning documents are also shocking to many people. Why would a multimillionaire with vast amounts of music that will […]

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Saying good-bye to a loved one is never easy, but it is far more difficult when left with an unorganized estate plan, complicated assets and no direction. One daunting task involves closing their accounts. The methods of closing accounts are not uniform and in some cases, it can become a frustrating or even drawn-out nightmare. […]

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