In California, married couples have what’s known as a spousal fiduciary duty to one another under the state’s Family Code. According to the code, the marital relationship “imposes the duty of the highest good faith and fair dealing on each spouse, and neither shall take unfair advantage of the other.” This means that if one […]

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Parents and grandparents generally feel fortunate when they have considerable assets to pass on to younger generations in their family. However, how can you assure that they’ll handle their inheritances wisely? Even responsible people can lose perspective when they inherit a significant amount of money — spending it on things they had never even considered […]

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When a family member dies, even the closest of siblings can become estranged, especially when money or property is at stake. Probate issues have a way of bringing out siblings’ stubbornness and reviving contentious emotional discussions as well. Because most siblings don’t find themselves involved in probate litigation until they reach their 50s or 60s […]

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You always meant to get around to writing a will, but you never did. Now, in the aftermath of your death, your family is learning that not having a will can cause trouble. When you die without a will, the laws of intestate succession determine who inherits your estate, and it may not be whom you expect. […]

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If you’re drafting your estate plan with the intention of leaving some or all of your assets to your adult children, it’s essential to talk to them about their inheritances once you’ve determined what you are going to leave them. For many families, this may be the first time that parents and kids have discussed […]

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There are a lot of things that you have to handle when a loved one passes away. You may have to make the final arrangements. You might have to handle other duties, as well. If you are the executor of the estate, or even if you are just a concerned heir, you will have to […]

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If you’re a Californian doing your estate planning, it’s essential to understand that it can, and maybe should, involve more than a will and other documents that detail how you want your assets disbursed after your death. For example, you can designate your wishes for your health care ahead of time in case you are […]

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