I was recently contacted by a new client who had been trying to get an attorney to file their mom’s probate case for several months. For some reason the attorney has continually delayed getting it done for these people. Most people want to get the probate finished, right? There are two main reasons: 1) the […]

It’s that time of year… time to start planning for 2012. How will you fund your IRA, 401k, 403b, and other retirement plans in 2012? The rules are not substantially changed. Here is a brief summary to help you. Also, please remember each type of plan has different beneficiary rules so work with a qualified […]

I have stated before that people have excuses for not preparing their estate plan throughout the year.  Early year it’s “let me get my self organized for the new year and/or pay for the holidays.”  Then it’s, “let’s talk after April 15th.”  So it goes throughout the year until mid-November when apparently the whole world […]

I saw an ad in the Sacramento Bee today for an upcoming series of living trust seminars. It hits on so many key points: don’t let the Court’s decide your estate plan, wills do NOT avoid probate, keep your affairs private and out of the courts, be careful of joint tenancy ownership, learn how to […]

I met with a client the other day who couldn’t decide who should get some items of personal property in their wills.  Curio cabinet, guns, etc….  Now, I am a sentimental guy and I have many “treasures” at home but I think a lot of us get mis-directed by these small valued items. In this […]

Up until the funeral my family has been planning the last week I never worried too much about putting my exact wishes down in writing. However, after seeing the costs involved and also the variety of decisions that can be made I am much more inclined to put my own wishes in writing. If nothing […]

So you have just lost a loved one and now you have to figure out how to pay the mortuary, the cemetery, the church, the musician, the newspaper for the obituary, and maybe even a nice reception after the funeral… but who pays for all that?  I have been faced with this issue personally the […]

Though I prefer when clients give me organized accountings showing receipts (income, interest, rent, dividends, etc.) and disbursements (money spent) I am ok getting a pile of papers too. I can usually sort them out without having to hire an accountant and usually as part of the California probate process. That is, usually without additional […]

The probate referee is a state appointed official whose job it is to appraise most assets in a probate estate. In fact, it is mandatory that they appraise most assets in a full probate estate.  A probate referee is a state appointed official who is appointed to serve the state by the California State Controller. […]

I met with a client last week who really wants to name me as their trustee when they can no longer function in that capacity (beit by death or incapacity). This is not work we actively seek out but we are generally happy to help clients who desire this. I have gone over so many […]