Estate Administration And Probate

People in California may have seen a recent article proposing ways in which people can protect their digital accounts and social media assets after death. While it's something many people haven't thought much about, these staggering statistics might be reason enough:...

People in same-sex relationships in California have had a tumultuous ride over the last year. Between Proposition 8 and the uncertainty over the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, it might be difficult for same-sex couples and people in domestic partnerships to even...

A couple from Redlands, California, recently made an interesting discovery about the marriage that they thought they had shared for nearly half a century. As the two were preparing their wills and collecting estate planning documents, they could not find their...

A recent article about California estate law and probate highlighted the importance of estate planning for a number of reasons, whether or not a person has substantial assets. While most people may be uncomfortable thinking, and even planning, for their death and the...

California movie fans mourned the 2010 death of iconic actor Dennis Hopper. Since his passing, however, various issues have clouded the administration of his estate. Hopper was married five times throughout his life and was in the process of divorcing his fifth wife...

California residents and readers of this blog have probably seen coverage of the controversy surrounding the estate of Michael Jackson. Three years after his death, however, much more remains to be done in the probate of his estate. A recent article noted that a trust...

Readers of the blog and California residents have probably seen the coverage of the fight between the girlfriend and estranged wife of deceased painter Thomas Kinkade. The two women are both claiming their supposed rights to their share of the famous artist's estate,...

For many people, avoiding probate is a good idea. A recent controversy about state laws now provides yet another reason for doing so through careful estate planning. A recent article about California estate administration laws brought up an interesting Catch-22 in the...

A new bill being considered by the California State Legislature could produce some interesting side effects in the area of wills, trusts and probate administration. The bill, however, is primarily concerned with family law matters and seeks to eliminate the legal...

The controversy surrounding the estate of painter Thomas Kinkade, including his palatial mansion in Monte Sereno, California, will continue as the court begins probate proceedings early next month. Among the issues at the heart of the controversy are the validity of...