When starting the estate planning process, many people are concerned with following all necessary measures to make sure their will is “legally valid.” But what does that mean, exactly? What criteria need to be met for a will to be accepted by the courts? The process...
Do I need a probate attorney?
Wills
Wills are a good idea for young adults, too
When people think of writing a will, they may assume that it is something they will do once they have a family of their own or are much older and have accumulated assets. However, there are good reasons that adults in California of any age, including young adults,...
Could you spot a forged or fraudulent will?
It is easy for family members to feel out of sorts after the passing of a loved one. There are many emotions to work through and some legal matters to address, and it can be difficult to keep everything clear. However, if you find out that information in your loved...
When can wills be disputed?
When people create wills, they lay out their intentions for the distribution of their assets and property in the event of their passing. Most of the time, California courts will follow the guidelines set out in a will, but there are instances where others may...
How are wills different from estate plans?
Most people have heard of wills, but not everyone knows about estate planning. Some may even believe that they are the same thing, but that is not entirely accurate. There are some clear differences, as well as a few similarities. The similarities and differences...
You may not own your digital assets
Digital products are taking over. You don't own a shelf full of CDs and tapes. You have a phone full of digital albums that you can bring up with a click. You don't have a cabinet full of DVDs. You have an Amazon account where you can log in and stream whatever you...
Different types of wills have different origins
When you decide to do your estate planning, you need to know how to draft a valid will in the United States. That typically means a written will signed by you and a witness and/or notarized. While using a notary is not required, it's an extra step that people...
What constitutes a valid will in California?
There are some common questions that many clients that are looking to prepare their wills ask their estate planning attorney. One question centers around what's an appropriate age to draft it. Another has to do with how often it needs updating. A third has to do with...
Top reasons to tell the children what they’ll inherit in advance
Is an inheritance really something that you want to be a surprise? Many parents make it one. They never tell the children what they're going to get and they only find out when they read the will.This approach can lead to a lot of issues. You may want to consider...
People often do not get around to writing a will
There are plenty of reasons why people do not write wills, as evidenced by the fact that most people don't have one. Some think it will cost too much. Others do not know where to start. Others think that they don't have enough assets for it to be important. Still...
