Probate is the legal process for authenticating a deceased person’s will, reviewing their assets, paying their outstanding debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to their inheritors. Probate law varies by state, but there are steps in the process that...
One day William’s daughter read in an article that a will was not the best way to leave property to heirs. Wills often involve long and expensive probate court proceedings and there are other, more-efficient ways to pass on savings to a family such as trusts. But...
Probate in Orange County is a process in which a court decides whether a will is valid or not. It’s also legally required in most cases for the management and distribution of a decedent’s assets with or without a will. This definition suggests that if you are skipping...
If you’ve ever lost a loved one here in Orange County, chances are you’ve had a few run-ins with the probate court. Here are the simple steps to avoid probate in Orange County. The goal of the probate process is to help the family of the deceased administer their...
While most people have heard of a basic Last Will and Testament, they may not know what a Pour Over Will is and how it works with a Living Trust. As an Orange County will lawyer, I’d like to explain this estate planning tool. Essentially, a Pour-Over Will is used in...
Whenever the time comes for an estate to be settled, many beneficiaries find themselves wondering how long the process is going to take. Orange County probate attorneys often tell clients that settling an estate through probate can take anywhere from eighteen months...
Strategies to Help Your Family Avoid Orange County Probate Court After You Pass Away Even those who don’t fully understand the probate process are pretty clear about the fact that they want to avoid it. As an Orange County probate lawyer, I see so many cases where...
Do you know how to access a safe deposit box after the death of a loved one? Never fear, you are not alone if you don’t know the answer. While safe deposit boxes are commonly used to protect valuable items and important documents (such as a insurance policies, a...
You may have heard the buzz about the new transfer on death deeds in California which provide a new way to transfer real property on death. Up until recently, the most common ways were through: A will; Owning property in joint tenancy or community property with...