What You Need to Know About California Probate from Beginning to End
Probate begins with a court hearing and ends with another court hearing to distribute all assets. California probate from beginning to end takes one to two years.
What You Need to Know About Trusts, Revocable Trusts and Living Trusts
In California, a trusts are often called trusts, revocable trusts and living Trusts These terms all refer to the same document.
How to Fund Your Trust
Trusts provide for the post-death transfer of assets at a minimum cost and effort. But a trust cannot just be created; it must also be “funded.” An unfunded trust does not avoid probate, and it is a common and very costly mistake.
Conservatorship is California’s Default Plan for Incapacity
California Probate is Expensive, This is Why
In California, attorney fees for ordinary services provided in probate court are set by law and are referred to as statutory fees. The statutory fees depend on the dollar amount of assets in the decedent’s estate.
The Importance of the Designated Beneficiary for Retirement Accounts
The designated beneficiary form transfers retirement plans such as 401ks and IRAs from the owner to heirs. A designated beneficiary is a person or trust identified as the payee on the retirement account owner’s death. Plan administrators provide forms for the owner to name or change the designated beneficiary.
The Right to Control the Disposition of the Remains
The person with the right to control disposition of the remains is identified in the deceased’s power of attorney for health care or by the nearest relative.