Probate in the United States has acquired a bad reputation because of the time associated with completing the process along with the potential problems that could arise. Many people only have to deal with probate once in their lives, adding to the stress since there is no way to properly prepare for it. By the time you figure out the process, the situation is usually resolved. Understanding why probate takes so long Read More
When Probate Administration Helps More Than it Hurts
The primary reason most people invest in estate planning is to avoid probate. The process of probate is often time consuming, tedious, and involves court officials administering an estate. While usually, taking steps to prevent probate court from becoming involved in estate management is advisable, there are times when probate is not a bad thing. Knowing when probate administration helps more than it hurts can ease Read More
What to do if a Loved One Passes Away While Out of the Country
Each summer people throughout the United States prepare to spend time traveling, with most preferring to vacation during the month of July. As airlines work to find ways to entice more people to fly, the cost of international vacations has steadily declined over the past few years. While most vacationers dream of relaxing and seeing unique sights, some encounter unforeseen emergencies. When that emergency becomes a Read More
Why Your Estate May Get Stuck in Probate
The probate process in California is meant to be straightforward to provide beneficiaries with the relief they need while making the overall process less stressful. With careful planning and proper execution, your heirs should be able to receive their inheritance with limited fanfare. Unfortunately, there are exceptions to every rule, meaning that there is a chance that your estate may get stuck in probate. Read More
Tips for Avoiding a Probate Nightmare
Probate is the process of identifying, inventorying, and finally distributing assets to a person’s heirs. During probate taxes are paid, debts are settled, and the estate plan the person left behind is used as a guide. Unfortunately, in many cases people do not leave behind adequate instructions, forcing their heirs and the court to work together in order to settle the estate. While probate is stressful, it is Read More
Sibling Rivalry and Probate
Losing a parent is one of the most painful things that an adult can experience. Having siblings who can offer comfort and support is one of the ways that adult children can begin to cope with grief. Unfortunately, there are times when a sibling is the cause of pain after the loss of a parent rather than a source of support. Studies have shown that approximately 70% of conflicts between adult siblings are related to Read More
Can Divorce Proceedings Affect Probate?
On March 22, 2018 the founder of Toys ‘R’ Us, Charles Lazarus, passed away immediately following the news that the cash strapped chain would be closing its doors. The news of Lazarus’s death reignited rumors of the debated divorce declaration his second wife made prior to succumbing to cancer. The claim drew attention to how difficult one spouse passing away can be once divorce becomes a topic of discussion. The Read More
How Does Having a Minor Child as Heir Affect Probate?
When model, actress, and spokeswoman Anna Nicole Smith passed away in 2007 at the age of 39, she left behind an infant daughter named Dannielynn. The infant became the center of a prolonged paternity case with multiple parties speculating that the infant could potentially benefit from the prolonged probate case involving Smith’s late husband J. Howard Marshall. In 2008, Dannielynn was named her mother’s sole heir and Read More
Types of Problems Multiple Heirs can Cause During Probate
In 1999, Jay Pritzker, the multi-billionaire founder of the Pritzker group, passed away leaving behind large portfolio of assets. Pritzker’s legacy included a family law firm, the Hyatt Hotel chain he founded in 1957 with his brother, and multiple charities. Throughout his life, Jay Pritzker focused on the importance of family and intended for his family to operate the empire he created as a unit after he passed Read More
Three Things That can Throw a Wrench into the Probate Process
Imagine it, your loved one passes away with no will, and after 14 long months dealing with the probate process, something unexpected happens and turns your case upside down. Now what do you do? The average person would have no idea how to proceed and could expect to spend even more time trying to find the light at the end of the probate tunnel. Never forget, Los Angeles is home to one of the longest running probate Read More
