Naming the beneficiaries of your assets in a will is one way to distribute them after your death. However, it means your loved ones will need to go through the probate process. Instead, you can carefully plan your estate, using a few efficient ways to avoid probate in...
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Bay Area Estate Planning and Family Law Blog
What are the preliminary duties of an estate representative?
Surviving family members could find themselves in a tough spot when addressing matters regarding the deceased’s estate. When it undergoes the probate process, the court could identify a person who could represent the estate based on the deceased’s will or the law....
Conservatorship or trust – which do you need?
When something grave happens to you – an incapacitating illness or injury, perhaps even death – you’ll want your estate managed adequately so you don’t leave your family and relatives financially in the dark. A trust may be able to ensure your loved ones benefit from...
How does the court choose an estate administrator?
When someone dies, it is up to their surviving family members to manage their estate correctly. A simple process exists to distribute the deceased's assets but could enter probate based on the circumstances. After starting the probate case, the court could appoint an...
Why is end-of-life planning important?
In estate planning, it is common to write down your wishes for your final days, including medical care, funeral and burial arrangements. This tool is called an end-of-life plan. While creating this plan might seem dramatic at first, especially if you start young and...
Where do a limited conservator’s powers end?
Your voice matters in each of the life decisions you make. But a limited conservatorship in the state of California allows a judge to determine if someone with intellectual and developmental disabilities, called a “conservatee,” can make their own decisions. The judge...
Documents your estate plan should include
Although most people are familiar with estate planning, few understand all of the elements that an estate plan should include. You probably have a will and may have established a trust for some of your assets, but there are other forms you should consider. There are...
What are the benefits of a special needs trust?
Parents want the best for their children. Whenever they make any decision involving their sons or daughters, they carefully look for options that will benefit their children the most. This also applies to planning for the future. In estate planning, parents consider...
What are the trustee’s duties and responsibilities?
One of the essential decisions of the grantor when creating a trust is choosing the trustee, who will manage and administer the assets in a trust fund. The trustee must carry out the grantor’s wishes in good faith. But what exactly do managing and administering a...
What are my legal responsibilities as a conservator?
When individuals can no longer care for and make important decisions for themselves due to circumstances such as physical or mental disability and aging, the court assigns another person to be their conservator. The court usually appoints a family member or relative...