It is important to consider the value of an estate plan, rather than just the up front cost. The cost of NOT have an estate plan will likely far outweigh the cost of working with an experienced attorney who can provide an expert evaluation of the benefits of an estate plan. This article highlights what NOT having a proper estate plan could cost you. What do you have to lose by not having an estate plan? Read more
USA Today’s article highlights several considerations to ensure that your will is “bulletproof”. Some of their suggestions are more helpful than others. We further analyze which suggestions are needed and which are less likely to be helpful to you. Read more
While there is no legal requirement for your to retain an attorney to put together your estate plan, this decision should be well considered and not taken lightly. Read more
There are numerous “trust specialists,” “certified planners” and various other titled parties who, often misleadingly, indicate that the person has received advanced training in estate planning. Read more
Yes, you still need a will in order to handle all of the personal assets that are not part of your living trust. Read more
You generally don’t hear about celebrity estate plans unless something goes wrong. But Joan Rivers’ estate planning, which included gifts to her dogs, serves as a great example of the proper way to plan an estate. Ms. Rivers’ arrangement did a lot of things right and the highlights below can be used by almost anybody.
A recent New York Time article highlights some of the complexities of selecting an estate’s executor, Sendak’s Estate: Debating Where the Things Go. The article examines the estate of Maurice Sendak, author of “Where the Wild Things Are”, and its management by its executors. While Sendak’s estate is rather large and complex, the issues associated executor management of an estate can impact estates of any size. Read more
In California, the person in possession of a will is required to deliver the original copy of the will to the court within 30 days of learning of the death of the testator (person who created the will).These actions are required even if no additional probate proceedings are, or are likely, to be initiated. The person in possession of the will must also delivery a copy to the executor, if one named in the will, or the will’s beneficiaries.
If the location of a will is not immediately known, however, a search may be required. Even where a will may be easily located, a search codicils (additions to the will) and later wills is required. The following points include helpful tips for locating a will or codicils. Read more
In California, there is only one form required to begin a probate proceeding. This form is entitled DE-111 and is known as a petition for probate. A copy of DE-111 can be found here. While a step-by-step overview of how to fill out the form would take much more than a simple blog post to address, the general information required to complete the form is somewhat straightforward and is covered below. Read more