Category Archives: Probates

How Does an Adult Child Navigate Their Parents’ Estate Plan?

Family, senior parents and woman by pool holding with care, love and hug bonding outdoor. Smile, happy person and people in retirement with adult daughter together with bokeh in nature in summer. 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

Helping Your Parents Plan Before a Crisis: An Adult Child Legal Survival Guide Many an adult child fails to consider that they may one day become caregivers. One day, Mom and Dad are living independently, managing their finances, and making their own medical decisions. Then, almost overnight, a fall, a stroke, a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s […]

Durable Power of Attorney

Durable Power of Attorney

Why Your Financial Durable Power of Attorney Should Be Carefully Coordinated with Your Revocable Living Trust Many Californians believe that once they sign a Revocable Living Trust, their estate planning is complete. While a trust is often the cornerstone of a comprehensive estate plan, it is only one part of the overall strategy. One of […]

Seamless Estate: Where There’s a Will

Circular arrows pointing clockwise, seamless loop , icon, continuous, infographic

When your trust is properly funded, assets are titled in the name of the trust. That means your home, for example, would be titled as “John and Jane Smith, Trustees of the Smith Family Trust.” At your death, the successor trustee follows your written instructions without needing court approval.

The Right Probate Attorney Matters: Navigating Loss

Probate Law: Judge's Gavel as a symbol of legal system, Themis is the goddess of justice and wooden stand with text word on the background of books.

Losing a loved one is a deeply personal and challenging experience. Amidst the grief, the legal process of probate can feel overwhelming and complex. As a probate attorney here in Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, CA, I understand the emotional weight you carry. What’s more, I get the need for clear, compassionate guidance through this […]

California Probates: What You Need to Know

PROBATE court

Are Probate Court Records Public In California? In California probates, the public has access to probate court records. Contact the probate court clerk in any county where an attorney filed probate. Request to view the filed documents. For a fee, you can even obtain copies of filed documents from the clerk. Also, the last will […]

Probate of Your Home: The “Heggstad” Petition

How to avoid probate in a house

Transfer your home to a Revocable Living Trust (RLT) for several reasons. First, doing so will prevent probate of your home when you die. Another reason is that, as of January 1, 2017, if you die after collecting Medi-Cal, the state cannot pursue recovery against your home if it is in your RLT. In this […]

California Probate Costs

Court Case Probate

How much does probate cost in California? Filing a petition in probate court requires costs and fees. For example, out-of-pocket costs include the fee for filing the petition with the court. Other costs include publication fees and probate referee fees. Also, consider additional charges such as courier fees, court appearance fees, certified copies of court […]