What is Probate? Probate is a legal process in which a decedent's estate is properly distributed to heir and designated beneficiaries and any debt owed to creditors is paid off. For the most part, probate property is something that's distributed according to the decedent's last will and testament, if there is one, or according to [...]
The Probate ProSM has informed you in the past to have a plan in place for someone’s untimely death. While we continue to inform you about the importance of having a will in place, there’s a slight caveat. Even if a will or just a plan is set up, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll avoid [...]
A few weeks ago, we discussed how Luke Perry took steps to protect his family in the event that he passed away. Today, we’ll take a look at another celebrity who passed away last month, that being soap opera television star Kristoff St. John. Originally, it was reported that the Young and the Restless star [...]
Family Disputes Over Estates Happen Too Often Feuding over the estate of a loved one is a surefire way to cause separation within a family. Even within my own family there have been many arguments concerning assets that belonged to my grandfather. Not having a will or an estate plan can leave things messy, and [...]
Aretha Franklin - Queen of Soul We learned recently that Aretha Franklin, the late Detroit native and Queen of Soul to millions of her fans around the world, has died without a will. News reports to this effect broke early last week, causing many to wonder how this will affect the vast wealth she accumulated [...]
Probate costs can far exceed the cost of personally crafted estate plan. Everyone’s situation is different, and therefore, everyone has a different need for an estate plan. An estate plan is personalized and created custom to fit your needs. You could say that getting a skillfully drafted estate plan is one of the best investments [...]
Even decades later, the tragic murder of Natalie Wood remains just as sad, shocking, and full of unanswered questions as when it first came to light. Still today, new twists are added to the story as Natalie Wood’s one-time husband, Robert Wagner, is once again suspected for involvement in her death. While California law prohibits [...]
The probate court has delivered Letters of Authority appointing you as Personal Representative of your loved one’s estate. So, now what? This is a tremendous responsibility, and it is easy to get overwhelmed by the long list of what needs to be done, all the different court requirements and deadlines, and the arduous processes of [...]
