by Christine | Jul 30, 2013 | Estate Law, Estate Planning, Probate |
When James Gandolfini, one of the most recognizable actors of the last decade, died of a heart attack while on vacation last month, the response was as intense as you might have expected for the man who was Tony Soprano. But then something odd happened: a few weeks...
by Christine | Jun 13, 2013 | Estate Planning, Probate |
To avoid probate, the spouses should establish revocable trusts and transfer their property to the trusts during their lifetime. Estate planning may seem easy between spouses, but beware of the pitfalls of probate. The law tends to put a number of things on...
by Christine | May 13, 2013 | Estate Law, Estate Planning, Marriage, Probate |
If a conflict of interest arises in fact between the spouses, their estate planning attorney should withdraw and advise the spouses to retain separate counsel. Having represented both of the spouses, the attorney may not thereafter represent one of them against...
by Christine | Apr 11, 2012 | Estate Planning, Inheritance, Probate, Wills |
Brooke Astor’s only son saw his inheritance slashed in half and had his control of the estate’s powerful charitable contributions stripped away as part of a settlement that ended a bitter, five-year dispute over the family’s millions. One of the more public and famous...
by Christine | Nov 3, 2011 | Elder Law, Estate Planning, Medi-Cal Long Term Care, Probate, Trust Administration |
Social Security recipients will get a cost-of-living adjustment of 3.6 percent in 2012, a welcome boost after two years of no increase. Although it’s been two years since Social Security beneficiaries saw some additional respite from rising inflation, finally we’ll...
by Christine | Sep 26, 2011 | Probate |
Being asked by friends or family to be executor of an estate is a big honor, but the warm feelings can vanish once the job starts. Choosing an executor can be a difficult task, and in no small part this is because it means finding someone you trust to do as you would...
