Losing a loved one is a difficult time. You may have to deal with your loved one’s estate after the death if he or she had any assets. Many estates have to go through probate. Understanding some basic points about probate can help if you are facing this situation after your loved one passes away. […]

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Every day in California and around the country, people die without a will. Some of these deaths are through accidents and therefore unexpected. Others involve older people who never got around to putting an estate plan in place because they didn’t want to contemplate death or just didn’t think that they had enough assets to […]

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The probate process varies from one person to the next; however, there are some basics you should become familiar with. Once you know the ins and outs of probate, you can make more informed decisions in regards to your estate plan. Generally speaking, here are the basic steps associated with probate: — The person outlined […]

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The validity of a will is a popular point of contention during difficult probate battles. While most people in California likely do not anticipate their will being challenged, it can happen when a family member feels spurned or when someone might have a legitimate reason to be suspicious. However, simply because a will’s validity can […]

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Fear is an involuntary response for most people upon hearing the word “probate.” Many misconceptions concerning the process continue to perpetuate throughout California, needlessly adding stress to the lives of people who are already grieving the losses of loved ones. In reality, the probate process can be a helpful and necessary aspect of the estate administration […]

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After the loss of a loved one, it is only natural to feel nervous about matters related to the decedent’s estate and transferring property under the California Probate Code. It may be advisable to gain the necessary knowledge about probate procedures and whether it will be required to go to probate court at all. The need to […]

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Those who may be just beginning to think about their estate planning needs may be overwhelmed with all of the technicalities involved. For example, one of the first terms that a person often hears when researching how to plan an estate is “probate,” and many find the thought of the probate process daunting; however, it […]

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Artistic endeavors are not generally thought of as big money makers in California. On the other hand, in rare instances, some artists become highly recognized in their field, causing the prices of their pieces to be valued at high price points. However, if the artist does not have proper estate planning in place, this can […]

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There are many reasons why a person might wish to challenge a will. In the majority of cases, the person contesting a will is likely to benefit financially if the will is invalidated. California law permits contestants to challenge wills on several grounds, including lack of capacity, undue influence, revocation, fraud, duress and mistake. A […]

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The estate planning actions individuals take can affect the probate process after their death, potentially impacting those who may be poised to receive remaining assets. Probate is the court process for legally transferring those assets, and during this action, the outstanding financial obligations of the decedent are handled as property distribution is addressed. Additionally, probate […]

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