San Fernando Valley Probate & Estate Administration Law Blog
Should you keep a will in a safe deposit box
Making sure probate goes as fast as possible will help your heirs receive their inheritance without a substantial delay. However, if you store your will in a safe deposit box at your bank, you may end up delaying the probate process. After you die, your heirs might...
First party special needs trusts
Often, parents of a child with special needs worry about their child's ability to qualify for assistance. Not everyone with special needs is a child, though. Sometimes, adults with disabilities want to set up a special needs trust with themselves as the beneficiaries...
How can you protect your medical wishes?
As people get older, ailing health may become more of an issue. Some people have strong opinions about what types of medical interventions they would want if they were seriously ill or injured. An important part of estate planning is outlining what to do in the event...
Estate planning for children with special needs
While it is smart for any adult to have an estate plan in place, it is even more critical that you have one if you have a dependent child with special needs. When leaving assets behind for your child, you must consider certain elements unique to your situation. You...
Types of Trust Distributions in California
In California, the Probate Code governs various types of trusts. There are revocable and irrevocable trusts, legacy trust, trust for those with special needs, and others. All of these are legal constructs that usually have named beneficiaries. Beneficiaries receive...
Do I Need a Guardianship Designation in My Will?
When you think of preparing your estate plan, documents such as a will, living trust, and an advance health care directive may come to mind. However, one of the most important and sometimes overlooked parts of estate planning is the guardianship designation. Parents...
Customizing your estate plan for a blended family
Unique circumstances that affect your family's dynamic may require you to modify your estate plan to function appropriately for all of the intended purposes. Whether your family has experienced divorce, death, remarriage or adoption, it is still possible to develop an...
Handling the probate process
For executors in California, the time immediately following a loved one’s death is challenging. Not only do you have to deal with the loss, but you also must handle issues related to the deceased’s last will and testament. We often help clients address issues related...
Wills v. Trusts: What to do if they conflict
Having a will and a trust can be a great way to plan for your estate and protect your assets. When prepared correctly, these separate legal devices can work in concert as part of a smart estate planning strategy. However, when the two documents are prepared...
What is “Personal Property” in an Estate Plan?
When putting together your estate plan, you will identify your assets and heirs, and provide instructions regarding your final wishes. During the process, you are likely to use a term such as "personal property" in some of your estate planning documents. When using...
