If you have multiple children, it is a natural desire to provide for them equally in your estate plan. For some types of assets this is no big deal. You can easily divide a bank account into equal shares. But other types of property, such as real estate, can prove…
There are many questions you may have when thinking about estate planning. In addition to worrying about making a will, or setting up a trust, and dealing with decisions about whom to leave your property, there are also more mundane issues to consider. For example, do you still have to…
If you co-own real property with others, it is important to clearly establish each party’s interest. Among other reasons, this can have a significant impact on your estate planning because your will or trust can only dispose of your own interest in real estate. Your estate plan will not affect…
Some people decide to write their own last will and testament without the assistance of an estate planning lawyer. While such wills are generally valid, provided they comply with the requirements of California law, there is always the risk that ambiguity in a will drafted by a non-attorney may lead…
California allows the spouse or heirs of a deceased individual to file a wrongful death lawsuit against anyone whose negligence caused the individual’s death. In many cases the personal representative or executor of the estate brings a wrongful death claim on behalf of the persons entitled to recover. If successful,…
Many parents do not get along with their children. It is an unfortunate reality, but in the context of estate planning, there is nothing that compels a parent to leave any of his or her property to an adult child. Nor is a poor parent-child relationship, in and of itself,…
A revocable living trust is a document appointing a trustee to assume custody of certain assets that you designate. You can serve as your own trustee during your lifetime. Upon your death, the successor trustee you name is then required to manage or dispose of the trust property as specified…
Estate planning for married couples in California often involves making a clear distinction between community and separate property. Community property generally refers to any asset acquired by either spouse during the course of the marriage. Under California law, when one spouse dies, half of the community property automatically goes to…
When a person dies, some or all of their property is disposed of through a legal process known as probate. If the deceased left a valid last will and testament, that document appoints a person to oversee the probate estate—a personal representative—and names one or more beneficiaries to receive any…
Administering a California probate estate is often a time-consuming affair. The personal representative (or executor) of your estate is responsible for gathering and maintaining all of your assets, paying any legitimate creditor claims, and ultimately ensuring all property is distributed according to the terms of your last will and testament.…