Many pet owners in California worry about what happens to their beloved companions if they pass away or become disabled. If you consider your pets as family, a pet trust offers a way to help provide care even when you can no longer do so yourself. What is a pet trust?...
You lose a parent and then you spot a big “gift” or transfer from the final weeks. Maybe a new caregiver received cash or a sibling took title to a house. When that change feels off you may worry someone took advantage of your parent. California probate court can step...
In an emergency scenario, powers of attorney (POAs) authorize a trustworthy individual to make medical decisions or manage financial matters. They help protect people from receiving medical care that does not align with their wishes or values. They help people avoid...
Some probate litigation begins because there are concerns about the estate planning paperwork. Families can contest a will in specific scenarios that raise questions about the validity of the document. Occasionally, probate litigation occurs because beneficiaries or...
When drafting a will, witnesses play a critical role. If there is ever a dispute about the document in the future, witnesses may have to testify in probate court. They can help confirm the identity of the person who signed the documents. They can also speak to their...
Adult children are often very interested in what estate planning their parents have done. In some cases, they are worried that the parents do not have an estate plan at all. In other cases, they want to know more about how that plan will affect them. One concern that...
Advance health care directives can help explain an individual's medical preferences. The documents that they draft can guide medical professionals or family members who must make decisions about that person's care. If an adult becomes incapacitated, they may need...
Estate disputes are messy, and they become even more complex when property, heirs or trusts cross state lines. You may face different courts, rules and varying timelines. In the San Francisco Bay Area, families who own homes or investments in more than one state are...
