Trusts are usually straightforward. The settlor creates the trust, the trustee manages and administers it, and the beneficiary receives their share. However, confusion may arise if creditors appear and demand payments from the trust. Fiduciaries and beneficiaries must...
Knowledgeable Advocacy For All Aspects Of Estate Administration, Trusts And Conservatorship Matters
Year: 2023
How many agents do you need for your powers of attorney?
The longstanding adage goes, “With great power comes great responsibility.” In the context of estate planning, bestowing power on someone who will decide on your behalf in the event of incapacitation or death entails a pivotal commitment to delivering formalized...
Intestate succession: Where will my assets go if I have no will?
A will generally lets you decide who benefits from your assets after you pass away. This way, it helps reduce conflicts over matters like succession, inheritance and even taxes. But what if you pass on suddenly before you can write a will? This is where intestate...
Do I need to do anything as a beneficiary of a trust?
Technically, an individual does not have to do anything if assigned as a beneficiary to a trust. However, a beneficiary’s inactive participation in the trust’s monitoring may put the trust assets at risk of mishandling and improper management. When this happens, it...
Will vs. Trust – which fits your needs?
In the event of your incapacitation or death, you would prefer to have your affairs in order. A comprehensive estate planning process ensures that your wishes regarding seamless management and distribution of your wealth among your rightful survivors are honored. It...
Will a will prevent probate?
Probate is a long and expensive process of transferring a person’s property and assets upon death. The probate process would be the default in California unless the deceased took other estate planning measures, such as creating a living trust or establishing joint...
What you should know about charitable trusts
When you hear about charitable trusts, you might initially think this tool is about donating to a charitable organization with no returns. But there is more to a charitable trust than you think. A trustor can still benefit, directly or indirectly, from a charitable...
Will I get my inheritance if there is no will?
With or without a will, the assets and properties of a deceased individual will undergo probate and estate administration. The difference is that the testator’s wishes will take precedence if there is a will. If there is none, the courts will decide on the...
4 grounds for challenging a will in California
Will contests are common when it comes to the probate process. Wills involve immediate families, relatives, beneficiaries and other interested parties, and it is not surprising that there are disagreements regarding the estate property distribution. One dispute that...
Can you trust your trustee?
Establishing a trust is one of the ways you can approach estate planning. The owner of the trust is the grantor, and they appoint a trustee. A trustee can be a family member or close friend but consider hiring a professional or an organization with no personal stake...