Losing a spouse, a life partner, is unimaginable. You are left facing grief and stress. Not to mention, endless questions. After all, there are legal matters to address on top of the emotional turmoil. Here are three critical questions to address in this situation. What does the estate plan say? You and your spouse may […]

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Losing a loved one is never easy, and dealing with legal matters during this time can add to the stress. If you are the personal representative or executor of the estate, it may be your responsibility to start the probate process. But what happens if the original will is lost or destroyed? It is natural […]

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In the Los Angeles area, the topic of intellectual property (IP) and any royalties from such property is always relevant. However, what happens to those rights and royalties when the person who owned them passes away? Some of the steps are similar to other assets Much like any other items a loved one left behind, […]

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The probate of a loved one’s estate brings with it a long list of things to do, documents to file and assets to locate. All of this is on top of the reality of losing someone you love. There is no question that this can be an overwhelming time for California families. So, how do […]

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There are many assets that can pass from one person directly to another after they pass away – by making use of beneficiary designations. The owner of an account can list a beneficiary, who obtains ownership of the account without it having to pass through probate. This seems straightforward, right? However, there are some cases […]

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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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There is no doubt that the aftermath of losing a loved one is overwhelming. You and your family may struggle with complex emotions – but will you have to navigate a complex legal process as well? In many cases, probate may be necessary in California to validate a loved one’s will and begin the administration of their […]

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The thought of probate can leave you and your family facing a lot of questions after the loss of a loved one. These may include (1) how does probate work; what needs to be done to start the probate process; (3) how long will it take; and (4) what assets are part of the probate […]

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Tax season is just around the corner. Many Californians are likely receiving their W-2s and other financial statements in the mail while preparing their strategies for April filing day. However, your tax filings may look different if you experienced significant life changes this year, such as getting married, having a child – or losing a […]

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When your family experiences a loss, it can rattle everything you know. The entire structure you relied on for years can feel unsteady. During this time, it is often your siblings that you have to rely on. After all, you are all in the same boat. Even if you all had very different relationships with […]

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