Regardless of your age, you may experience a mix of emotions if your parent remarries. You become a part of a blended family and begin some sort of relationship with a stepparent and perhaps even stepsiblings. Even if these relationships are at times positive, the complexity of these relationships can come to the forefront when […]

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Anyone going through the probate process for a loved one has likely come up against this question. How do you manage debt that belonged to someone who has died? Although the exact answer will depend on the details of the situation, the following provides a general guide and starts with the first step — figuring […]

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A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows the creator (known as the Principal) to give another trusted individual (known as the “Agent” or “Attorney-in-fact) the power to make decisions about their finances. This is a powerful legal tool that is an important part of an estate plan — but how do […]

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If you and your siblings do not get along, a parent’s passing can be not only sorrowful but stressful. Even the mere thought of facing probate and administering your parent’s estate can be overwhelming. It is important to carefully evaluate your situation, and prepare yourself and your family as you move forward to reduce the […]

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Probate can proceed in a smooth manner, but sometimes that is simply wishful thinking. Complications may arise during the settling of an estate. Disputes may surface, for example, regarding the validity of a will, accusations that the legal representative (executor/administrator) engaged in wrongdoing, or issues with payment to creditors . The chance for litigation is […]

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California is a popular location for out-of-state residents to purchase vacation homes and seek shelter from the cold seasons. This second home can be a nice escape for the family – but what happens to the loved one’s special home in California if he or she passed? The answer may be in your loved one’s […]

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Wills are some of the most common estate planning documents. However, if your family cannot find the will after your loved one passes away, it can pose a real challenge. As we discussed in Part One of this series, Californians cannot file a will with a court before death. This applies to either a handwritten will […]

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Many families will begin the probate process not long after losing a loved one. The law requires the person holding the will to file it with the probate court within 30 days after death. However, the first step is to find the will. If your loved one did not leave behind any instructions about where […]

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When you sit down to hammer out your estate plan, you have a lot of important decisions to make. In addition to where you want your assets to go, you also have to make healthcare decisions for yourself and try to foresee all possible eventualities. In the midst of all of that, arguably one of […]

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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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