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LA Probate Law on Joint Inheritance Joint accounts are accounts, usually with a financial institution, where more than one person has rights to the account.  Deciding what those rights are is a problem often faced in contested probate cases. Are they survivorship accounts where the survivor gets all of the account and the money does not got through a will or probate? Are they non-survivorship accounts where the money does not go to the survivor but passes through the will and through probate? … [Read more...] about LA Probate Law on Joint Inheritance

LA Probate Law on Non Traditional Estate Planning   Estate planning is of critical importance in providing for loved ones in a non-traditional family. State and federal laws protect married couples in the event of death—the spouse of a person who dies without a will has rights to his or her estate and assets transferred because of death may be transferred to a spouse free of estate tax under the marital deduction. Unmarried couples and non-traditional families do not have these legal … [Read more...] about LA Probate Law on Non Traditional Estate Planning

LA Probate Law on Retainer Fees A retainer fee is a guarantee that the lawyer will be available to work solely on your case as the need arises. Lawyers can be expensive, and, in some instances, you may be able to get a lawyer on a retainer fee. In other words, the lawyer will be on call for you and will be required to turn down other cases as the situation warrants. When you find a lawyer you may need that professional to be on call to work your case or issue exclusively. You should look for a … [Read more...] about LA Probate Law on Retainer Fees

LA Probate Law Readying Your Estate for Your Heirs   If you expect to leave an estate, you should do whatever you can to ensure that it is not subject to the probate law in your state. Why? Even though you will not be around to experience what happens while your estate is wends its way through the probate process as defined by your jurisdiction's probate law, your heirs will. And your executor will have his or her hands full meeting all the requirements established by that LA Probate Law. … [Read more...] about LA Probate Law Readying Your Estate for Your Heirs

Myths and Truths of Estate Planning by LA Probate Law   The objective of this discussion is to review some of the myths and realities of estate planning. A number of articles have been written on the subject but let's see if we can't put a different spin on it by keeping it simple. By dispelling some of the common misconceptions, we will have a better understanding of how important it is to take positive action to keep our estate plans in order. The Economic Growth and Tax Reconciliation … [Read more...] about Myths and Truths of Estate Planning by LA Probate Law

Probate in California Explained by LA Probate Law   If you are currently in a situation where you’ll be dealing with the California state court system in relation to a probate or estate related matter, or if you think that you will be in this kind of situation in the near future, it is important that you hire a LA Probate Law attorney that knows the ins and outs of California probate law. Probate law has to do with the handling of an estate when someone, such as a family member or other … [Read more...] about Probate in California Explained by LA Probate Law

Probate Start to Finish Explained by LA Probate Law   Settling an estate in probate is a complicated process. Successful probate requires not only your legal knowledge, but also an understanding of real estate, tax and financial issues. Probate is the term meaning the administration of a deceased person's affairs. Probate laws are designed to ensure that the deceased's creditors get paid, that property and assets are properly distributed to heirs and that any disputes arising out of the … [Read more...] about Probate Start to Finish Explained by LA Probate Law

Special Needs Trusts Discussed by LA Probate Law The primary purpose of a third party special needs trust is to preserve government benefits for disabled beneficiaries.  Usually the benefits involved are from government programs that have eligibility requirements.  Receipt of an inheritance will disqualify the beneficiary for future government benefits. Suppose a couple has three adult children who will divide a $600,000 estate after both parents have died.  One of the children is receiving SSI … [Read more...] about Special Needs Trusts Discussed by LA Probate Law

LA Probate Law: What are Probate Courts?   Probate is the legal process of administering the estate of a deceased person by resolving all claims and distributing the deceased person's property under the valid will. A surrogate court decides the validity of a testator's will. A probate interprets the instructions of the deceased, decides the executor as the personal representative of the estate, and adjudicates the interests of heirs and other parties who may have claims against the estate … [Read more...] about LA Probate Law: What are Probate Courts?

Legal Care for those who Need Help Offered at LA Probate Law   In California, a conservatorship is used when an adult cannot physically care for themselves or is unable to handle their financial affairs and another person is appointed by the court to handle such matters on a person’s behalf. A guardianship is used to establish similar arrangements on behalf of minors. The Los Angeles probate lawyers at LA Probate Law take special care in handling conservatorship cases on behalf of our … [Read more...] about Legal Care for those who Need Help Offered at LA Probate Law