As a beneficiary or interested party to an estate, the probate process can be particularly frustrating. The personal representative may not be forthcoming with information or with answers to your questions. Probate can take a long time and there can be long delays until you receive any inheritance. The personal representative is...

The personal representative of an estate has a litany of responsibilities it must fulfill. They must locate, inventory, and manage the assets of the estate. They must notify beneficiaries and heirs that the decedent has died. They must notify creditors of the estate and verify which creditor claims are valid and, thus,...

Handwritten wills, also known as “holographic wills,” are accepted in California. There are certain requirements that must be observed, however, for a handwritten will to be valid in this state. Also, while handwritten wills may be valid in California, you should be aware of the potential pitfalls of having such a will...

Most of the time, while not very pleasant, probate starts off without a hitch. The decedent’s will is verified by the court and then the personal representative of the estate dives into their many responsibilities. Every so often, however, a person will attempt to contest a will. Now, there are those incidences...

Taxes are just a part of life. They are also a part of death. Yes, estate taxes can greatly impact your estate as the taxation rate is significant for those estates that fall above the federal estate tax exemption amount. Right now, this exemption amount is quite high. It sits at $12.92...

Having a durable power of attorney in place can bring you peace of mind like you might not even be able to imagine it capable of providing. When you have a durable power of attorney in place, you can rest easy knowing your agent has the power to manage your fairs should...

Did you know that the size of an estate can have a significant impact on administration options? Who survives a decedent can also have a significant bearing on administration options. These are good to know about as probate proceedings can be frustrating. They can also be very expensive as well as time-consuming....

As you may be aware, the legal system is full of intricacies and jargon that make things nearly impossible for the general public to decipher. To add on to this, the terminology can widely vary between states. For instance, in California, a protective proceeding for an adult is referred to as a...

One of the most important things estate planning allows you to do is to select a guardian for your minor children. You can take the time you need to make this important decision and select a guardian who you can trust to take care of your kids should the need ever...

Have you ever heard of a special needs trust? If you have a loved one with special needs, it may make an essential addition to your estate plan. Otherwise known as a “supplemental needs trust,” a special needs trust is a trust established for the benefit of a beneficiary with special...