Your parents may have seemed invincible when you were a kid. But now that you’re older, you can see a decline in their health and once-sharp memories. Sadly, the illness or death of a parent with no estate plan can impose significant financial burden and emotional...
Helping You Through Times of Change
Bay Area Estate Planning and Family Law Blog
3 signs that you need a conservatorship for your aging parents
As people grow older, their ability to make sound decisions and manage their affairs may decline, leading to concerns about their safety and well-being. This decline makes them more vulnerable to poor or costly decisions that could jeopardize their well-being....
What can be a breach of fiduciary duty?
In a trust, there are three roles involved: the grantor, the beneficiaries and the trustee. Among these positions, the trustee is responsible for managing the assets within the trust, making them have a fiduciary duty to the trust's owner and beneficiaries. A trustee...
3 ways to avoid delays in probate
Generally, the more the issues are in probate, the longer the proceeding will be. Consequently, the longer the proceeding takes, the costlier the fees will be. If your loved one’s estate is about to go through probate, here are a few things you should know about...
An overview of guardianship for minors
When creating an estate plan, parents may need to consider who would care for their minor children in the event they are unable to, usually through death or incapacity. In California, there are several steps to create a guardianship, which is a legal arrangement where...
Can my loved one have different conservators of their person and estate?
When our loved ones can no longer care for themselves, our worries multiply. Those concerns will not instantly vanish even if the court appoints a conservator to look after them. While conservatorship is not a new concept, many people have little to no knowledge about...
Removing a trustee from administering an estate
A trustee has a duty to act in the best interest of the trust beneficiaries. However, sometimes the trustee does not meet this duty and needs to be removed from their responsibilities. Reasons for removal There are several reasons it may be necessary to remove a...
How should you talk about estate planning with elderly parents?
Discussing estate planning with elderly parents might seem scary at times. However, this vital conversation helps them know other people will honor their wishes and eases the burden on the family later on. Following a step-by-step guide is one way to help you start a...
How to spot fraudulent living trusts
Wills and living trusts might seem like sound options to address issues concerning an individual's estate. However, some might exploit these needs and sell illegitimate estate planning products or services. One of the most common schemes scammers use is selling...
What happens if a will conflicts with other estate plan tools?
Each individual decides, with or without the guidance of a legal professional, how many estate planning tools they will include in their plan. Some only draft wills, while others have multiple documents depending on their needs. However, when dealing with a...