The loss of a loved one is a traumatic experience, but it can be made much worse if people mourning that loss are contacted by creditors to ask for money because the decedent owed them money. Creditors have the option of turning to the estate to collect any money...
Probate and Estate Administration
When and who can initiate probate in California?
Life's journey has many chapters, and sadly, the final one is inevitable for everyone. Losing a family member is never easy, and the days following their passing can be overwhelming. It's natural to hope that everything will settle itself out, but some matters,...
How to prove undue influence when disputing a will
Disputing a will can be a complex legal process, particularly when a challenge is based on claims of undue influence. This concept arises when someone is believed to have manipulated or pressured a vulnerable individual into altering their will to unfairly benefit the...
When do executors of high-value estates need legal assistance?
Managing a high-net-worth estate is a complex and demanding task. Executors often take on intricate legal and financial responsibilities that can be overwhelming, especially during a time of grief. When managing a complex, valuable estate, it is common to face...
3 tactics for keeping certain assets out of probate court
Testators putting together estate plans frequently want to pass as much of their personal property to specific beneficiaries as possible. One of the strategies for maximizing what beneficiaries receive involves keeping as much of someone's property as possible out of...
How should you file a deceased person’s final income tax returns?
The Benjamin Franklin quote that “nothing is certain except death and taxes” may be going through your head as you realize that, as the executor of the estate of a loved one or friend who passed away last year, you’re required to file their final income tax returns....
What taxes must be paid during the California probate process?
Taxes are often among the financial obligations people must settle during estate administration. In fact, tax responsibilities take priority over numerous other financial obligations during the probate process in California. Tax authorities have a stronger claim to...
What do you do if your loved one left more than one will?
You may be somewhat relieved to find a will in your loved one’s home after they passed away – especially if you feared they never got around to writing one. But what if you find more than one will? That’s the dilemma a lot of families face. Often, when there is more...
Do children have to pay their parent’s debts when they die?
Assets are typically passed to the next generation through an estate plan. This can be done in many ways. Some people will simply put the assets into their will and let the estate executor divide them. Others will transfer assets into trusts with a set beneficiary who...
How do people in California plan to avoid probate court?
Probate court is almost synonymous with receiving an inheritance. When someone dies, the California probate courts often oversee the administration of their estate. The courts help prevent family members from overlooking financial obligations and executors from...