The California estate of Hugette Clark remains unresolved two years after the 104-year-old woman’s death. Multiple parties, including relatives of the last descendent of a $300 million copper mining fortune never knew, are disputing two wills Clark left behind. A probate court will decide this fall whether Clark died without a valid will. In that […]

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Family power struggles at the time of a loved one’s death are not so common that they disrupt the settlement of every estate, but conflicts happen. Legal issues among Los Angeles heirs and beneficiaries often occur when no estate plan exists or a critical legal document is indistinct. Estate administration complexities deepen when a wealthy or […]

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The subject of gay marriage drew a negative reaction from most U.S. residents in polls taken a decade ago. At the time, Pew Research Center reported a 58 percent opposition to same-sex marriage. A new survey shows a remarkable change in society. The gay marriage approval rate shot up to 49 percent. The U.S. Supreme […]

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Many people in California are familiar with mediation in divorce. Spouses who employ mediators often save money and time by resolving sticky issues like asset disputes without prolonged, emotion-fueled litigation. For many of the same reasons, mediation is also used to settle heirs’ arguments over estates. Successful mediation is a low-key answer to what otherwise […]

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A surprising number of people in California and throughout the country give little thought to long-term financial planning. Young adults may be more concerned with wealth building than wills, trusts and estate administration. Older adults can be too preoccupied with a career track and parenthood to give serious thought to the possibilities of accidents, illnesses or […]

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Events like Hurricane Sandy make pet owners think about what would happen to a loved animal when owners were unable to care for them. Natural disasters and an owner’s incapacity or death can separate a pet from a human friend. The ASPCA encourages pet owners to include the long-term care of pets in an estate […]

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The man who played the proud, strutting, wealthy George Jefferson on The Jeffersons died last July. Sherman Hemsley, whose 1970s comedy show was filmed in Los Angeles, was never buried. A probate court had to decide whether the actor’s will was sound and funeral plans were delayed. A legal dispute surfaced between Hemsley’s former business manager and […]

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An article published in a California newspaper last summer led to a task force and a proposal that could change fees paid to conservators of the estates of dependent adults. Court officials in Santa Clara County are considering rules that would limit what court-appointed estate administration officials charge for services. The published report stated that estate managers […]

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Voters are subjected to various risks regarding the upcoming presidential election. Estate administration and decisions would be lot easier if individuals, estate planners and California heirs knew what to expect from the candidates and the Internal Revenue Service. Today’s $5 million dollar estate tax exemption could fizzle to $1 million on the first day of 2013. Even […]

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The brothers, sisters and father of legendary pop singer Michael Jackson were not named as heirs of their late brother’s estate and now the siblings have publicly, but not legally, challenged the validity of Jackson’s will. Many legal experts say the famous siblings’ argument would be futile in probate court. Jackson’s brother, Randy, has been the most […]

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