Estate and Incapacity Planning in California

What is Incapacity Planning? Planning for incapacity means that you are prepared in the event that you aren’t able to make decisions or communicate for yourself, often due to illness. This includes choosing someone you trust to make financial and medical decisions on your behalf if needed. Since incapacity can happen to anyone at any […]

Have You Had the Talk?

It’s difficult to talk about a time when you won’t be around, but it’s important to have these conversations. It might be uncomfortable at first, but in the end you’ll know that you and your loved ones are one step closer to peace of mind. Here’s what you should remember as you start talking to […]

Wills vs. Trusts

What is a Will? A Will is a document that puts your intentions in writing so your family knows exactly what you want to happen when you’re no longer around. Wills are useful in documenting your wishes but generally don’t help to avoid probate.   Wills typically include: What you want to happen to your […]

How to Buy or Sell Probate Property in California

Introduction – Probate Property If property is not held in a Living Trust when its owner passes away, probate is often required for that property. While an estate is being reviewed in probate court, property in the estate may be sold in order to cover debts that can’t be paid with existing estate funds. The […]

Avoid a Probate Nightmare

What happens to your estate when you die without a trust? It ghost through probate. What is probate? If you pass away without a Trust, your family may have to go through court to determine what will happen to your estate. This process is called probate. What’s so spooky about probate? There’s nothing scarier than […]

Client Success Story: A Way Forward

Sarah’s (name changed to preserve confidentiality) mother passed away leaving her and her nieces and nephews (children of Sarah’s deceased sibling) the generous gift of a home.  Thankfully, Sarah’s mother created a trust naming Sarah as the Successor Trustee, so there was no need for probate. Unfortunately, the home had a reverse mortgage with a […]

Top 5 Probate Myths

Myth #1.  Probate is Always A Nightmare While probate definitely can be a nightmare (as it was for Dave’s family), it doesn’t have to be.  When probate is handled effectively and efficiently, the process can move relatively quickly and predictably for everyone involved. Myth #2.  Probate is Purgatory for Property This one is tricky: during […]

Client Success Story: A Win in Wine Country

SuccessionLegal® is frequently contacted in emergency situations by clients in difficult positions. Many clients don’t know where to start, are afraid of the health complications they are facing, and need immediate guidance. This summer, an elderly woman contacted SLG in that exact situation. She was scheduled to have a serious surgery in a few days, […]