A: Unfortunately, Probate Code Section 5302(b)(2) is very clear that in this case, the named beneficiary on the savings account (the girlfriend) will inherit ALL of the sums therein, even if the decedent had a will naming a different beneficiary (the child). Estate...
A: You will most likely not need to appear at hearings. Most courts in California use a tentative ruling system. This means that the day before the hearing on a petition, the court will post its intended ruling on the petition. If the tentative ruling is to grant the...
New parents have a lot on their minds already, so the last thing they might want to think about is estate planning. However, estate planning becomes even more important when people become parents. Estate planning ensures that your children are taken care of in the...
A: You will need to lodge your mom's will with the court within 30 days of her passing and also file a petition to be formally appointed as the executor of her estate. Although you are named in the will, you will need specific documents from the court in order to take...
A: Your mom and dad should not only create a trust, but should also sign a Community Property Agreement. In California, which is a community property state, confirming their assets as community property could save the surviving spouse as much as six figures in taxes...
A: Fortunately, this CAN be done, and it can even be done privately and without having to go to court. The important thing is that the surviving spouse and ALL of the beneficiaries of the B Trust must sign and notarize an “Agreement of the Beneficiaries” in order to...
A: A life estate deed allows the recipient (the “life tenant”) to live on a given property for the rest of their life. The life estate deed must identify at least two separate parties: one who is the life tenant, and the other who is the “remainderman”, which is the...
Creating a will that details your final wishes requires that you consider all of your heirs and loved ones. And while this process can be an emotional one, it can become even more difficult for those with large, blended families. To help you better prepare to get your...
A: Not necessarily! Depending upon how the new deed is drafted, your daughter may legally own the ENTIRE home upon your passing and she may not be required to share with her siblings! Make sure to speak with a qualified estate attorney if you are in the process of...
A: You should strongly consider hiring an experienced trusts and estates attorney. Whether you are the acting successor trustee during the lifetime of the person who created the trust or after he or she has passed, you have a number of fiduciary duties to fulfill and...
