It’s time to talk about something that happens all too often and can be avoided altogether with more knowledge and legal planning. We’ve had to help so many widows and widowers probate their family homes because they incorrectly believed they would inherit their home automatically even without an estate plan. The truth is that inheriting real property will involve some level of paperwork. How expensive, lengthy, or complicated a process depends on many things. Today, I will d

We can help you plan for the future, even if you don't have a crystal ball.

Designations can be confusing, and unintended and costly consequences can result if they are misunderstood, made incorrectly, or not made.

Don't let common misconceptions about revocable living trusts prevent you from using this invaluable tool to your benefit.

10 Common Mistakes of Divorcing Couples

The sooner you start planning, the better. As a new mother, you naturally want to ensure your new baby’s future in every way. For many new mothers, infancy is a time for celebrating new life, and making a will is the last thing on their minds. For others, the process of bringing new life into the world sparks intense feelings of wanting control and needing organization. Regardless of where you fall on that spectrum, you might be struggling to figure out what steps you need to

Here are the top mistakes that people make when creating a business succession plan – and how you can avoid them.

Happy 18th Birthday! Now that you are an adult, your parents' ability to help you make important decisions is limited. You can change that.

Are your kids going away to college? Why You Should Include Estate Planning in the Preparation

Whenever a decedent owns real estate, there must be some type of procedure to transfer the real estate to the heirs. If the decedent had a living trust in California, the process is typically handled outside of court and is pretty straightforward. An estate attorney would handle the process and paperwork for the trustee. But, if the decedent didn’t have an estate plan, then the process of transferring real property must be supervised by the probate court. The process may ta

We are here to make sure you have the foundational estate planning documents to ensure your own successful future.

Private mediation is the most peaceful and cost-effective way for you and your spouse to resolve your divorce.

Using a Transfer of Death Deed to avoid probate.

What is a conservatorship? In simple terms, a conservatorship is a way for someone to assume legal guardianship over an adult when that adult can no longer take care of themselves or manage their affairs due to incapacity. Conservatorships follow the laws in the California Probate Code. Yes, this is the same probate code that deals with the administration of your estate when you die. A conservatorship is sometimes called a “living probate.” Families often use conservatorships

Under California law, “a grandparent can ask the court for reasonable visitation with a grandchild.” This often comes up when a parent or both parents do not allow a grandparent to see the child after the parents are no longer together (e.g., after a divorce). Suppose both parents are preventing you from having a relationship with your grandchildren. In that case, the family court may be able to help you get court-ordered visitation time with your grandchildren. To petition t

Probate is the legal process (e.g., court process) of administering a person’s estate when they die. In California, the process can last an average of 18 months, with some probates lasting more than 2 years. If there is a will, probate will be the process of proving a last will and testament, which means verifying that the will is legal and the deceased person’s intentions as written in the will are carried out. Probate, when there is no will, means that the court decides how

In California, each spouse or partner owns one-half of the community property. This includes businesses started during marriage.

Divorced or Divorcing? Don’t forget to update your estate plan!

Why may you want to look into "unbundled" legal services for your family law matter

Confused about the differences between a will and a trust? If so, you are not alone.