Estate Planning

A friend recently shared a conversation she had with “Carol,” a long-time acquaintance. They caught up on many topics, but eventually the discussion turned to Carol’s home and family situation. What followed was surprising, though it’s something estate planners see...

If someone passes away in California without a will or trust, the law says they have died intestate. When that happens, state law – not the person – decides who gets the property. This process, called intestate succession, is handled through probate court....

Family businesses often represent more than financial success; they embody trust, shared values and a legacy passed through generations. In California, estate planning that includes a family business requires careful attention to fiduciary duties and formal agreements...

When settling an estate, personal representatives often encounter piles of outdated electronics – old TVs, stereo equipment, odd-looking computers, even boxes of random parts. Most of it looks like junk. But appearances can be deceiving. In one cautionary tale, a...

In California, a parent’s legal obligation to pay child support does not automatically end upon their death. Instead, the obligation continues and can be enforced against the deceased parent’s estate or living trust, depending on the circumstances. Under California...

Estate planning has long focused on financial matters – who inherits what, how much goes to whom and under what restrictions. But beginning in the 1960s, estate planning expanded to include personal choices, such as medical treatment preferences and funeral wishes....