Los Angeles Probate & Estate Administration Law Blog
What happens if a loved one leaves behind multiple wills?
In 2018, people across the country grieved the loss of the late, great Aretha Franklin. Franklin’s name returned to the headlines in 2019, however, when three handwritten wills were found in her home and filed in a Michigan probate court. The discovery of these three...
Selling a loved one’s house in probate: It is a complex process
For most people, their home is the most expensive asset in their name. Therefore, it is also one of the most expensive assets that you and your family must deal with during probate. If your loved ones do not leave explicit instructions or designate their house to a...
Chosen to be a guardian? Here’s what you should consider.
Parents who welcome children into the world usually have quite a bit on their hands. They need to adjust their life to accommodate their new child, which includes taking a look at their future. Many new parents would rather not think about what could happen if they...
What are your inheritance rights as a stepchild?
Nowadays, blended families are the norm. Divorce rates for people over 50 have slowly been increasing in the last two decades, and second marriages are much more common after divorce or the death of a spouse. However, even as more California families become blended...
What does it mean if an estate is insolvent?
An estate plan allows individuals to make their wishes clear and provide for their family when they are gone. However, a lot of financial planning goes into this process to ensure one's family members will be protected and provided for after their passing. This is...
What should an inventory of your loved one’s estate include?
Many articles explaining the probate process, and even this blog, often state just how important it is for personal representatives and surviving family members to create an inventory of their loved one’s property. It is not only necessary for the probate...
What should you do if a loved one is mentally incapacitated?
As loved ones age, families can run into many tough decisions about how to care for them. These decisions become even harder if loved ones start losing mental capacity. So, what can families do if they believe their loved one is mentally incapacitated? First, how can...
How do you close a probate estate?
It is no secret that the probate of an estate can be a long and complicated process. There are several details families must be aware of and steps a personal representative must complete to bring the estate to a condition for it to be closed and distribute the assets...
What are the early signs of dementia?
According to the World Health Organization, someone is diagnosed with dementia roughly every three seconds. That can be an alarming fact to think about, especially if you have aging parents or loved ones, or a family history of dementia. However, being on the lookout...
Trustees: Keeping detailed records is critical
Taking on the role of a trustee is a great responsibility. In the past, we have discussed the particular legal duties that trustees have when administering a trust in California. However, another essential task all trustees should complete is keeping records...
