TSA Precheck Helps you avoid airport lines
For the last few years there have been different options to try and avoid the line at airport security checkpoints. The latest, run by the federal government, seems to have the best chance of success....
View ArticleHow to properly witness a legalzoom will
I met with a client this week who proudly showed me her old will. It was a fine legal document. It left her assets to her husband and then her kids. It set up a guardian for the kids. It named an...
View ArticlePay for your trust or probate work with Bitcoins
As an attorney in Northern California, near Silicon Valley, I realize there are many people who may want to pay with Bitcoins as it’s a very tech savvy type of currency. Maybe that’s estate planning or...
View ArticleA/B Trust Options
The “A/B” trust is a very common set-up for married couples in the estate planning world. I should say there are different names for these trusts. I call it an A/B Trust. Others may be call it a...
View ArticleHelp write the California probate code
People often complain about the California probate code. Now YOU can help fix it! According to this GCN.com article there will be a crowdsourcing feature to modify and amend the code on wiki. GCN is...
View ArticleGetting on with life and avoiding the family fights
I recently talked to a prospective client. His story made me think of one thing, though I didn’t tell him in these words, IT’S TIME TO SOLVE THIS AND GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE! His story was one I have...
View ArticleMichael Jackson’s estate valuation tax fight with IRS
I read about the Michael Jackson tax dispute with the IRS on a legit website but figured I would get better dirt on TMV so here’s the link to that article. Most of my readers understand that when a...
View ArticleStarting probate as a creditor
I have a new case where the decedent’s son contacted me about starting a probate. He wasn’t quite ready as he had other things going on in life. Well, last week he called, in a panic, because one of...
View ArticleTen characteristics of a good trustee
When I go through the estate planning questionnaire with a client I suggest they think long and hard before selecting their trustee. In fact, if they hesitate for a split second when naming someone I...
View ArticleWe fix $499 Trusts
I was reading the paper the other day and I saw an ad for a $499 trust. This blog post is not specifically saying that trust company is bad because I have no idea. That $499 trust may be the best trust...
View ArticleThe Dangers of Do-it-Yourself Wills
I often tell people that it MIGHT work out fine if they do their own will. Of course it might not. I like to tell people that we’ll find out after they die! Well, a recent Florida case emphasizes this...
View ArticleFinish your parent’s probate and then….
Probate can be a long and drawn out process. These days it’s eight months and often longer. Many probates drag on for a year or more. So when you finish your parent’s probate what should you be...
View ArticleCould Donald Sterling use a blind trust?
Donald Sterling has a pretty large net worth. I don’t know if it’s $2 billion or $3 billion or what exactly it is. I think most of us estate planning attorneys would call him “high net worth.” I...
View ArticleSpecial Letters of Administration and Mortgage Companies
“My husband died and the mortgage company won’t talk to me.” This is becoming a common statement that I hear. Mortgages and the actual deed to real estate are NOT connected. They are separate. So, for...
View ArticleNotifying the California Department of Health Services of a death
How does one go about notifying the California Department of Health Care Services (aka: “Medi-Cal”) of the death of a friend or loved one? You can have an attorney help you or just go to this handy...
View ArticleAsk your parents some tough questions to help everybody
Back in 2012 I posted a blog about talking to your parents about their estate plan. I called it “5 Questions to ask YOUR parents about their estate plan.” I encourage you to read it before reading...
View ArticleCalifornia Insurance Code Section 10113.71 Form
Have you gotten forms from your life insurance companies giving you the option of providing them an alternate person to receive your lapse notices? I love this! It all stems from California Assembly...
View ArticleRobin Williams estate in the news
I was reading this article about Robin Williams’ estate. It is written by a Minnesota lawyer. I am not saying the story is “wrong” but it is a little misleading. Now that makes for better reading than...
View ArticleDying on your terms and POLST
My grandma is 98 years old…. or should I say 98 years YOUNG!? She called last week to tell me about a great article in the LA Times. It’s about dying on YOUR TERMS. In fact, the headline in the paper...
View ArticleBank of America mortgage trust certification form
For some time now I have advised clients to contact their mortgage holder to see about linking their trust to their mortgage. Without that you can leave your trustee with a problem. The house might be...
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