Planning your estate in California is wise. It allows you to protect your loved ones by leaving your assets to them. It can also help you protect yourself, but it's important to avoid making common mistakes during the estate planning process. Avoiding the estate...
Having your will contested should be avoided at all costs. When you’ve passed and your assets have no owner, however, your will is likely to get challenged by those closest to you. Anyone with a vested interest has a right to challenge your will in court. Since every...
Many elderly California residents have individuals who handle their finances for them. Many times older individuals have difficulties dealing with the public in general, and many are actually incapable of handling their own financial affairs. This creates a real...
Your elderly family member uses their savings to provide for their needs, which is why you may be worried that someone will take advantage of their situation and steal from them. Unfortunately, financial abuse is common, and anyone can take your loved one’s money if...
A testator might not choose an executor wisely. Selecting a close relative does not automatically lead to picking the right person for the job. The named executor might prove slow, incompetent, or irresponsible. In some unfortunate instances, the executor acts...
The accolades continue for Michelle C. Bartolic. Nearly two months ago, she was recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in Estate & Trust Litigation, an area of law that has been her focus since she started her legal practice. In that blog, the Gostanian Law...
Estate planning is one of the steps many people avoid when securing a financial future for their loved ones. It's understandable that most people don't want to think about their own demise, but it's important to develop a detailed plan to avoid estate planning...
Anyone who is planning to write a will, save money or invest resources needs to learn about fiduciary duty. Estate planning in California typically includes choosing a trusted individual or company to represent you or someone you love, and this individual becomes a...
Trusts are very useful in estate planning. Many families in California use them as a way to ensure that assets are passed on quickly and smoothly after a death. However, trustees need to be aware that their role can leave them open to lawsuits. That's true even if...
Whether you're creating a new estate plan or updating a current one in California, there are several important things to examine. If you do not, it could lead to a wide range of issues in the future. Here's what to focus on as you check out your estate plan. Keep an...