Two things in life are certain: death and taxes, which is probably why probate is a word that makes most people cringe. It forces you to consider your own mortality or comes into play after the loss of a loved one. You might find the term unfamiliar or confusing, not...
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Month: May 2016
California estates: when does a case belong in probate court?
Your loved one has passed away. Whether the passing took you by surprise or was expected after a long-term illness, it isn't easy to deal with their loss. When the only thing you want to do is mourn their death and look to the future, you have to think about their...
Why is Britney Spears still under a conservatorship?
People often associate the word "conservatorship" with those who have been deemed incapable of handling their own money. In fact, a court may also agree to a conservatorship for people who are not able to properly care for themselves in other facets of their life,...
Without an estate plan, the state can become your beneficiary
Did you know that Los Angeles County holds a monthly auction to sell unclaimed possessions of people who have died? These people either had no will (at least none that could be located) or had a will, but none of the heirs could be found or were alive. Further, no...
When should you set up a special needs trust?
Trusts are a key element of many people's estate plans. Often they are used to put money or other assets aside for a child or grandchild until they reach a certain age or other milestone. For people who have children or other family members with mental or physical...
What we can learn from Prince’s lack of estate plan
As shocking as the death of music icon Prince last month at 57 years old was to millions of fans around the world, the reports that he seems to have left no will or other estate planning documents are also shocking to many people. Why would a multimillionaire with...
The challenge of closing accounts for loved ones
Saying good-bye to a loved one is never easy, but it is far more difficult when left with an unorganized estate plan, complicated assets and no direction. One daunting task involves closing their accounts. The methods of closing accounts are not uniform and in some...