Many people seek to avoid probate because it has high fees, takes a long time, and is a public process (which means that everyone has access to your personal financial and beneficiary information.) Ancillary probate means that you have to go through probate in two or more states. That’s double the trouble! When is ancillary […]
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What Does a San Diego Probate Lawyer Do?
A San Diego probate attorney or probate lawyer (also known as an “estate attorney”, “estate lawyer,” or “estate planning lawyer”) guides Executors and Administrators during the probate process. Sometimes, a beneficiary may hire a San Diego probate lawyer for guidance on his or her legal rights during the probate process. What is probate? If an […]
It’s Likely Time to Update Your Estate Plan
One colleague did a search of all of his estate planning client files and determined that his clients updated their estate plans only every 19.6 years. Wow! Imagine all the changes in your personal life, financial life, the law, and your estate planning attorney’s experience over 19.6 years. Think how your views, goals, hopes, and […]
How to Probate a San Diego Estate
If an individual dies, owning assets in his/her name, the estate must be probated. Probate is a court supervised process of validating the will; appointing an executor; locating, protecting, and valuing the decedent’s assets; paying final bills and applicable taxes; and, upon proving to the court that these things have been done, distributing assets to […]
Touchy Blended Family Issues and Your Estate Plan
Every family has complicated dynamics. Our San Diego estate planning attorney realizes that blended families have an extra layer of complexity which must be addressed during the planning process. Be sure to disclose all family relationship issues to your estate planning attorney. He can only plan for those things he knows about. Common issues […]
Participate in the Jury System
Remember the 1957 movie, 12 Angry Men? An innocent man was almost found guilty of murder by 11 impatient jurors who just wanted to get home. That man’s life was on the line. One juror, played by Henry Fonda, stood strong and thought things through. He convinced the other jurors of the reasonable doubt and […]
Name Back-Up Trusted Helpers in Your Estate Plan
It would be in your best interest to take our San Diego estate planning attorney’s advice and always name back-up (i.e. successor) trusted helpers in your estate plan. To be specific, be sure to name a back up trustee of your trusts, back up executor of your will, back up guardians for your minor children, […]
Avoid a Messy Conservatorship
Every California resident, age 18 or older, needs a Durable General Power of Attorney and a Power of Attorney for Health Care. If you don’t have these important estate planning documents in place and you become incapacitated, your family will have to go to court for a conservatorship. Conservatorships cost a lot of money, take […]
Attorney Advice: Avoid Juror Misconduct
Jury duty is the major civic obligation that we all have. Without jurors there would be no justice. The right to a jury trial is a sacred and guaranteed by the Constitution. Our San Diego personal injury attorney advises that if you have the honor of serving as a juror, it is imperative that you […]
Prevent Will Contests with a “No Contest” clause
If you fear that a family member may challenge your wishes and file a will contest, have our San Diego estate planning attorney include a “no contest clause” in your will. The no contest clause prevents most potential will contests. While Grace had no legal requirement to include all three of her sons in her […]