Should Your Lawyer Control Your Money After You Pass Away
When creating an estate plan, most people focus on who will inherit their assets. An equally important question is often overlooked. Who should be in charge of managing and distributing your money after you pass away…
How Long Do You Have to File Probate After Death in California
When a loved one passes away, families are often left grieving and overwhelmed. Legal deadlines are rarely the first thing on anyone’s mind. One of the most common questions families ask is simple and important. How long do you have to file probate after death in California?…
Can You Handle Probate Without a Lawyer in California?
Choosing the right estate planning lawyer can make the difference between a plan that protects your family and one that causes confusion, delays, or future legal problems. Estate planning is not something most families think about every day…
How To Find A Good Estate Planning Lawyer
Choosing the right estate planning lawyer can make the difference between a plan that protects your family and one that causes confusion, delays, or future legal problems. Estate planning is not something most families think about every day…
Why Does Probate Take So Long in California
California families are often surprised to learn that probate can take a very long time. It is common for probate cases to last twelve to twenty four months and sometimes even longer. As an estate planning attorney in California, I help families navigate both probate and trust administration. One of the most common questions I hear is simple. Why does probate take so long in California…
The Real Downsides of a Living Trust in California (And How to Avoid Them)
Many California families want to understand the advantages and disadvantages of setting up a living trust. The question I hear often is simple. What are the negatives of setting up a living trust?…
Debunking the Debt Myth: What Every California Family Should Know About Inheriting a Home
When parents pass away, their children are often left wondering what happens to any debts left behind especially if there’s a mortgage on the family home. It’s a stressful moment, and misinformation can make it worse…
The Difference Between A Trust, A Will, and A Living Will
Most people have heard of a will, many know about a trust, and some have come across terms like living trust or living will. On top of that, there’s the broader concept of an estate plan…
How a Joint Account Can Save Your Family from Probate (and When It Can’t)
When someone passes away, their assets including homes, bank accounts, and investments don’t automatically transfer to loved ones. In California, if those assets are titled only in the deceased person’s name, they typically must go through probate, a court-supervised process that can be lengthy, expensive, and public.
Blended Family Estate Planning Horror Story: How One Couple Lost Everything
As you may know, over half of all first marriages end in divorce. About 60% of second marriages end in divorce, 70% of third marriages, and well the pattern continues. With remarriages come new relationships, new children, stepchildren, and new financial dynamics. That’s what we call a blended family and while these families can be full of love and connection, they also come with unique estate planning challenges.