Your Law Firm For Life In Northern California
If you cannot find the original will after a loved one’s death, probate may still be possible. In California, courts usually prefer the original will, but they may admit a copy if the evidence shows the will was valid, the copy is accurate and the testator did not...
A disinherited sibling can challenge a California will, but usually only on specific legal grounds. In most cases, that means lack of capacity, undue influence, fraud or problems with how the deceased signed the will. Unfair treatment alone is not enough A parent can...
Grieving families usually do their best to uphold the instructions included in a will. However, sometimes families review estate planning documents and feel concerned or confused because of their contents. A parent who long promised to divide their estate evenly among...
Losing a loved one is difficult enough without worrying about where you'll live. You may wonder whether you can stay in your family home when the owner passes away and their estate enters probate. Thus, understanding your rights during this process helps you make...
Probate often creates confusion about who can inherit property. If you are a stepchild, California law treats your rights differently than those of biological or adopted children. Your ability to receive property depends on written estate documents, legal...
When someone passes away, their debts remain until the estate pays them off. Before heirs receive any inheritance, California law requires that the estate settle what the deceased owed in a specific order. Following this order protects both creditors and...
When someone who owns a business passes away, their ownership stake does not simply vanish. Instead, the business interest becomes part of the estate. This can raise many questions for family members, business partners, and heirs who want to know how that ownership...
The probate process manages a deceased person's estate, pays debts, and distributes assets according to their will. This legal procedure transfers property, resolves any outstanding obligations, and settles disputes. Validate the deceased person's will One primary...
The way property is owned plays a key role in how it transfers after someone dies. Joint tenancy is a common form of shared ownership in California. If you’re planning an estate or managing one, understanding joint tenancy helps clarify how certain assets are...
When someone dies due to another party’s negligence, the surviving family may file a wrongful death lawsuit. In some cases, an estate representative must handle legal matters on behalf of the deceased’s estate. This individual plays a key role in ensuring that claims...