If you’ve been named as an executor or personal representative for an author’s estate, you’re facing unique challenges that go beyond typical probate duties. Managing intellectual property rights, protecting unfinished manuscripts, and... Read more »
Distributions of trust assets to beneficiaries before the death of the settlor may allow for more flexibility than distributions of trust assets to beneficiaries after the death of the settlor. In most instances,... Read more »
If you’ve been named as an executor or personal representative for someone who died during a pending divorce, you’re facing one of the most complex scenarios in California probate law. This guide... Read more »
There is no set rule as to how long trust records must be kept by a trustee, and the determination is usually based in part on the complexity of the issues facing... Read more »
Yes, a right of survivorship bank account can be challenged — but only if you have both standing and valid grounds. You may have standing if you have a financial stake in... Read more »
If you inherit a property with an existing mortgage through the right of survivorship — whether as a joint owner, spouse or registered domestic partner — you not only assume full ownership... Read more »
There isn’t a huge difference in dividing personal property after death compared to other types of property, besides the fact that dividing personal property may be easier. For example, if a house... Read more »
How long a notarized power of attorney lasts depends on the terms of the agreement. For example, a nondurable power of attorney generally lasts up to the point the principal loses capacity.... Read more »
While actor John Amos’ official cause of death was listed as congestive heart failure, his daughter, Shannon Amos, contends it wasn’t entirely natural. She alleges that her brother, Kelly Christopher (K.C.) Amos,... Read more »
Yes, a power of attorney can usually be used to change beneficiaries on bank accounts, but the power of attorney agreement must expressly give the agent this right, and the changes the... Read more »