Probate is the legal process of transferring ownership of property from a deceased person to their heirs. It can be a lengthy and expensive process, so many people try to avoid it if possible. The question is, how can you avoid probate? Create a trust Usually, when...
Probate Litigation
Grounds for contesting a will in California
Coping with a loved one's loss in California can be very difficult. But, you can have a hard time moving on if you believe that their true wishes weren't carried out the way they would've wanted. And so, if you think that something is wrong with their will or perhaps...
What legal rights does a disinherited child have?
Dealing with the loss of a loved one in California is never an easy time. Sometimes, this situation can become even more overwhelming for a disinherited child. Understandably, receiving the label of a disinherited child can make you feel helpless. However, it's...
What is ancillary probate?
For people dealing with an estate and the probate process in California, one of the trickiest elements can be ancillary probate. This is a special process that applies when the contents of an estate are spread across multiple states, such as having two houses in two...
Most important facts about probate
Probate court handles all issues that involve administering an estate after its owner's death. In the end, the decedent's property and belongings are handed over to heirs and beneficiaries. There are certain facts about probate in California that are important for...
You can challenge a will that someone was tricked into signing
Estate planning fraud does not mean just creating a fake will after the fact and claiming it is the real thing. Instead, the person planning to commit fraud may do so by tricking that person and getting them to sign the document, thereby making it appear more official...
Pressuring someone into signing a will makes it invalid
When people think about a will that is not valid, they often think about a fake will. Maybe, after a parent's passing, an heir drafted a will that gave them a far greater share of the estate than they got in the original. There is a clear chance for financial...
What is it called when you pass away without a will?
Many people put off writing a will. Say you do so for a few decades, thinking you still have time to get your estate plan together. Then, just before you actually get that plan down on paper, you pass away unexpectedly from a heart attack or in a car accident.Life is...
Not liking a will is not grounds to challenge
Your parent's will arrives, and you just don't like the terms. Maybe you thought that you'd get a specific asset or maybe you thought more money would go your way. You have been looking forward to it, and now you're disappointed. Can you challenge the will?You may be...
An out-of-date estate plan can lead to disputes
It is not enough just to have an estate plan. You need to make sure that it is actually up to date. This is a constant process. Writing a will and then forgetting about it for 10 years does not help anyone. Your assets could change significantly in that time.For...