Many California adults have no estate plan, despite the fact that they probably need one. Even if you have very few assets, it’s usually better to have something on the record about how you want them to be distributed. Your estate plan can also explain your medical...
Most California residents think of elder abuse as physical abuse or neglect that occurs in nursing homes. However, financial abuse of an elderly person can also happen. It’s important to recognize the signs of this abuse at the hands of your loved one’s guardian or...
Joseph E. Patton, Esq. has received his third consecutive and highly coveted Super Lawyers Rising Star award for 2022. This is not his only recognition, as he awaits taking on the Chair of the Orange County Bar Association – Conservatorship, Guardianship, and...
There are a number of different types of conservatorships for you to choose from in California. The choice that you make will depend on a number of factors. These can include your income level, time of life, and whether or not you can still make your own decisions....
Roth IRA is one of the most preferred methods used by people in California as a saving and investment option or to leave their inheritance to their heirs. This popularity is due to its tax-free status. While it sounds good, people still make costly mistakes when...
Some people choose to go through life believing themselves too young to worry about estate planning. This is a mistake for many reasons, three of which you can read about here. 1. Makes matters run smoothly after your death If you pass away without a will and other...
When someone dies, their loved ones are often left with a lot of questions about what to do next. This is especially true if the deceased left a complex estate. Thankfully, there is an established process for administering an estate after someone dies. Probate court...
Older California residents can sometimes fall victim to elder financial abuse. Sadly, this type of fraud is often perpetrated by someone known by and close to the victim. What is elder financial abuse? Elder financial abuse is a crime that occurs when someone takes...
A person who is appointed to be the executor of an estate is given unlimited access to another person's assets. These assets include funds that are needed to administer an estate in California. The executor is a chosen individual who is put in a high position of...
Not everyone can contest a will for any reason. There must be valid, legal grounds for this document to be challenged in court. The following reasons are why a will is often contested in California. No signature There are different types of will contests during estate...