For those new to estate planning, there can be great misunderstanding as to what your living trust will own. Often, people think that a living trust will own “all my assets.” Some think that a living trust avoids probate (“no matter what”). Legally, however, a living trust rarely owns all of your assets. For example, a living trust … Continue reading Living Trusts and Avoiding Probate
California law dictates who has priority to serve as administrator of your probate estate if you died without a will and with a California estate large enough to require a California probate. In such cases, a person in the following relation to the decedent is entitled to appointment as the California administrator in the following order of … Continue reading Who is in charge of a California probate when there is no will? Who will be the administrator?
All California competent adults should consider signing a California Advance Health Care Directive. In the aftermath of the Terri Schiavo case, most people recognize how important this estate planning document is to protect yourself and your loved ones. In this document, you empower someone to make medical decisions for you if you become unable to … Continue reading Importance and Use of California Advance Health Care Directive
Due process and California law requires that your closest blood relatives* be notified by the person in charge of your estate if you died or became incompetent in each of these California contexts: 1. If probate is required because you died without a will, your administrator must notify your heirs*, as your heirs are those … Continue reading Your family tree: its due process importance in estate administration, trust administration, and conservatorships
At the CANHR Elder Law Conference that I’m attending today, the award winning film, Alive Inside, was featured. It’s powerful proof of how music can bring life to people who appear lifeless. iPods loaded with a person’s life music does what drugs can’t. A wonderful, helpful tool to help our elderly. Here’s a link to … Continue reading Music can bring life to the elderly who appear lifeless: award winning movie, Alive Inside.