Stepparent and stepchild relationships can significantly complicate probate in California. If you’re a stepparent who wants to ensure all your children — including stepchildren — are included in your estate, or a stepchild who’s been excluded from a beloved stepparent’s will, it’s important to speak with a probate lawyer in Torrance, CA about your legal […]

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What could make the probate of a loved one’s estate even more stressful? Managing the debt that a loved one left behind. Debt by it’s nature is stressful and managing debt that is not your own can be overwhelming and challenging. Here are some key tips to help you approach these debts and navigate creditors. […]

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Formal probate is not always necessary. Perhaps your loved one took steps to avoid probate, making use of trusts or other estate planning tools. Even if they did not, it still may not be a requirement to go through formal probate. In California, a “small estate” can go through a simpler form of probate and […]

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As we have discussed in previous blog posts, the stress and pain of losing a loved one can place a significant amount of strain on a family. As emotions run high, it increases the risk of disagreements between family members – particularly when it comes to the deceased loved one’s wishes. Family members might have […]

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If you have a parent or other loved one who has reached an advanced age or is in poor health, you may be starting to think about the probate process that you will have to go through once they are no longer with you. You may have several questions concerning the relationship between having (or […]

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One of the most common worries that families have about the probate and estate administration process is time. Whether or not you are the executor of your loved one’s will, you may wonder and stress about how long it will take. It is true that probate can take time. The average probate can take about […]

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It is common for elderly loved ones to leave real estate properties to their children when they pass away. Whether it is the cherished family home or a rental property up north, your parent might leave this property to be shared – or divided – equally between you and your siblings. Dealing with inherited real […]

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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 take on the responsibility of […]

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No matter the circumstances, losing a friend or family member comes as quite a shock. When you reach out to their family, you share your grief, memories and worries about the future. And then they mention how they must begin the probate process to distribute your loved one’s assets. Perhaps your loved one wanted you […]

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In the estate planning process as well as probate, it is common to hear the terms “heir” and “beneficiary” thrown around and even used interchangeably. However, there is a difference between these terms, and it is critical to recognize that difference. What do these terms mean? The important distinction between these terms is: For example: […]

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