When was the last time you reviewed the beneficiaries listed on your life insurance, retirement accounts, or savings accounts? If it has been a long time or you have experienced a major life change, you may want to look at those documents. You may have filled them out years ago, but in California, they can…
When someone you love passes away, the emotional weight can feel overwhelming. The last thing you want is to be blindsided by unexpected costs on top of your grief. Unfortunately, if their estate goes through probate in California, expenses can quickly add up, from court fees to attorney costs and even taxes you might not…
Blended families bring a lot of love, laughter, and sometimes a little complication, especially when it comes to estate planning and probate. If you have children from a previous relationship or stepchildren, California’s probate laws can feel confusing or unfair if you’re not prepared. If you have a blended family with an estate that may…
When a loved one passes away, families have to deal with processing their grief and managing the legal process to distribute property. In California, the process follows the state’s probate rules and community property laws when one spouse passes away. So, what is the impact of community property laws on California probate? Let’s take a…
Settling a loved one’s estate can feel overwhelming, especially if they owned property in more than one state. You may wonder how to handle probate when the deceased owned property in multiple states. What steps do you need to take first? Fortunately, the process is less intimidating than it may seem. Let’s look at what…
Being named the executor of a loved one’s estate is an honor, but it can also feel like a heavy responsibility, especially if you live outside California. You have to deal with court procedures and manage property and assets from a distance. This can turn a solemn time into a stressful one. Fortunately, there is…
If you’ve recently lost a loved one and are now responsible for managing their estate, you might encounter many unfamiliar terms and procedures. One that you might come across is “probate referee.” While it might sound technical, a probate referee plays a very important role in helping the probate process move forward in California. Whether…