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...
During will contests, relatives may have questions regarding whether they count as an interested party. It is often easier said than done to determine all interested parties since this number could be significantly higher than the testator of the will realized. The...
When you formed a trust in California, you might have named a friend or a family member as the trustee. Unfortunately, in recent years, you might have realized that this individual isn't as upstanding as you thought. Can you remove them for the trust, or do you have...
When someone passes away, probate may soon commence addressing the administration of the decedent's estate. Often, probate follows the directives presented in a last will and testament, and the process could take time. Some may wonder if there are ways to expedite...
The death of a loved one is one of the most brutal experiences we can go through in life. It is made so much worse when you unexpectedly learn that you were not provided for in their will. If you fully expected your loved one to remember you in their will, but they...
There is a lot of complicated information surrounding trusts and probate. This misinformation turns into myths, which can cause considerable confusion about the whole process. When people have misconceptions about these matters, it may prevent them from creating an...
Not having a will may not seem like a concern right now, particularly for healthy and young people and those without a spouse or children. However, passing away without a will can leave your loved ones facing consequences and hardship for years to come. The legal...
Trusts can be a valuable element of a person's estate plan. An individual might establish a trust to preserve family wealth, protect assets and avoid the probate process. Considering how vital trusts can be, the person tasked with managing them must take their...
People can oversimplify the concept of distributing assets after a person passes away. They might assume a spouse will get everything and expect the will to be clear. People can also put all their faith in an estate executor, assuming he or she will carry out the...
When someone passes away, those left behind can experience a range of difficult emotions, from sadness and grief to anger and confusion. Add to this the complexity of administering an estate or trust, and the risk of a dispute can become very real. In these...