What documents should your California living trust package have?  A lot of clients think a trust is the only document. However, it’s not. Far from it!  There are a number of documents that a properly prepared California revocable “living” trust package should have. Here is a brief summary of each: California Revocable Living Trust – […]

A difficult situation that often falls between the cracks is how do you get into the safe deposit box after death. Here are my notes from my 2010 NBI seminar I gave on the probate process. Additionally, below that are the two most relevant code sections on safe deposit boxes.  Contact me with questions.  -John […]

There are a lot of misconceptions and misinformation regarding estate planning out there. I call it cocktail party talk. That is, you are at a cocktail party and the know-it-all in the room starts telling horror stories about his mother-in-law’s estate planning.  This post aims to clear up some of the issues regarding the fees and […]

Below are my notes from my 2010 presentation on probate from start to finish.  Again, this was an all day presentation for other attorneys about the probate process that was given by NBI (National Business Institute) a leader in continuing lawyer education.  I was one of the features speakers for the day.  This section below is […]

I pulled this snip-it off of Reuters.com regarding Steve Jobs’ death: “JOBS’ ESTATE: CONFIDENTIAL? Jobs, in his trademark uniform of black mock-turtleneck and blue jeans, was deemed the heart and soul of a company that rivals Exxon Mobil as the most valuable in America.  With an estimated net worth of $7 billion — including a […]

Here are some of my notes from a lecture I gave in Sacramento in 2010 to other probate and estate planning attorneys. These notes were in the materials distributed to other attorneys at multiple locations throughout northern California.  There is nothing that refines ones skills as an attorney like giving a lecture to one’s peers.  These […]

This is the last law update for the week. This covers the last law changed by AB 1305.  California probate code 13600 deals with last salary of a decedent (including vacation pay). It should be paid to the surviving spouse without the surviving spouse having to go to probate Court to get Letters of Administration […]

A little more from my 2010 NBI lecture to other attorneys on probate law.  Contact me with questions.  -John Probate and Non-Probate Asseets Probate Assets – Or likely to be probate assets Real Property (including fractional interests) Bank Accounts Stocks Bonds Mutual Funds Final pay checks Refund checks Timeshares Partnerships and business interests Tangible personal […]

I have posted a few blogs on  these law changes which are really major for small estates in California. Here’s the actual language of the whole thing: BILL NUMBER: AB 1305   CHAPTERED BILL TEXT CHAPTER  117 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  JULY 25, 2011 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  JULY 25, 2011 PASSED THE SENATE  JUNE 27, […]

I have posted recently about the big changes to the “small” probate world in California. That is the 2011 California State Assembly Bill 1305 (AB 1305) which has raised the limits on the amount of assets that can pass without going through a formal proabte. As pointed out this is really a minor change for […]