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 [...]
Did you make any resolutions this year? Just 3 weeks in, how are you doing so far? Studies have shown that less than 25% of people actually stay committed to their resolutions after just 30 days, and even fewer actually accomplish them. Credit Forbes. Even if you've already given up on your resolutions, or if [...]
Many people with children give a great deal of consideration as to who will take care of them if something were to happen to both parents. But what about the furry members of our families? Without a written, clearly defined plan, your pets could end up in a shelter or euthanized. That’s why it is [...]
Different documents have different amounts of time that they should be kept. Tax returns, home sale documents, estate documents, and a death certificate are just some of the things that you might have left after the passing of a loved one. A general rule for keeping documents is to keep them for 7 years after [...]
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 [...]
