To put it simply, dying intestate means you don't have a will. Did a close relative die without a Will? While you will encounter some complexities, if you know the rules, you can navigate them. How will the estate be distributed in the absence of a Will? To start with, many assets aren't passed by Will, such as: Life insurance proceeds.Real estate, bank accounts, and assets are held in joint tenancy/community property with the right of survivorship.Property held in a living … [Read more...] about What It Means To Die Intestate
Artist Thomas Kinkade Estate Dispute Tells Instructive Tale
As Riverside probate litigation attorneys, we often find that highly publicized Will and trust contests that involve famous people can be very instructive to the general public. With this in mind, there was a situation that unfolded a number of years ago that garnered a lot of attention in the media and within the estate planning community. We recently published a blog post about the different types of Wills that exist, and this case definitely underscores the risky nature of what are known as … [Read more...] about Artist Thomas Kinkade Estate Dispute Tells Instructive Tale
Riverside Estate Planning Attorneys Educate Clients
Far too many people do not seek out legal counsel from estate planning attorneys because they harbor misconceptions. First of all, a lot of individuals feel as though estate planning is only important for senior citizens. They assume that they will have plenty of time to address the matter when they are old and gray. The second notion that some people entertain is the idea that anyone can create a last will in a matter of minutes using downloads and worksheets that are available online. … [Read more...] about Riverside Estate Planning Attorneys Educate Clients
Riverside Probate Lawyers Explain Options
Many people assume that a last will is the only logical way to facilitate asset transfers if you are not very wealthy. They are aware of the existence of trusts, but they are under the impression that trusts are only used by millionaires who have very complicated estates. The lawyers at our estate planning law firm hear this all the time. We find that their clients are quite surprised when all of the facts are explained to them. When you create a Will, you name an executor to administer the … [Read more...] about Riverside Probate Lawyers Explain Options
