Probate

Probate is the legal process that will be required after you pass away to ensure that your estate assets are properly identified, valued, and eventually transferred to the intended beneficiaries and/or heirs of your estate. To avoid wasting time and money, you want the probate of your estate to move along quickly and efficiently. To help you achieve that goal, the Los Angeles attorneys at Schomer Law Group, APC discuss five reasons why probate might take longer than it should in California. 5 … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons Why Probate Might Take Longer than It Should in California

You have probably heard people talking about avoiding probate and the steps they have taken in their estate plans to accomplish this goal. All the while you are wondering what the big deal is with probate. Why is it so important to avoid probate? Why is everyone going to so much trouble to avoid probate? These are all valid – and common – questions. To help answer these questions, the Los Angeles attorneys at Schomer Law Group, APC explain why avoiding probate in California should be one of your … [Read more...] about Avoiding Probate in California: Why Should It Be an Estate Planning Goal?

The death of a parent is not easy to handle, even if the death is anticipated. The legal process that follows, referred to as “probate,” is often the last thing anyone wants to deal with; however, it is necessary to properly account for the decedent’s assets and distribute those assets to the intended beneficiaries. While probate can be frustrating under the best of conditions, it can be especially difficult when it appears that the Executor is not properly executing his/her duties and … [Read more...] about Red Flags That Might Indicate Your Parent’s Executor Needs to Be Replaced

If you recently lost a family member or loved one, you are undoubtedly grieving. At the same time, you may be anticipating an inheritance. You may have even been notified that you are officially a beneficiary or heir of the decedent’s estate. If so, you understandably want to know when to expect receipt of your inheritance. With that in mind, the Los Angeles probate attorneys at Schomer Law Group, APC shed some light on how long you will have to wait for your inheritance in California. How Is … [Read more...] about How Long Will I Have to Wait for an Inheritance in California?

When a loved one passes away, the estate left behind typically must go through the legal process known as “probate.” Assets involved in the probate process may be held up for months, even years, before they can legally be passed down to the named beneficiaries and/or legal heirs of the estate. Fortunately, California offers several potential alternatives to formal probate that may be available to beneficiaries and heirs. To help you decide if one is available to you, the Los Angeles probate … [Read more...] about Alternatives to Formal Probate in California

When a loved one passes away, family and friends go through a period of mourning that often includes strong emotions such as grief, denial, and even anger. At the same time, the legal process of probating the decedent’s estate must begin. If the decedent left behind a Last Will and Testament, the Will is submitted to the appropriate court to initiate probate. If you recently lost a loved one, and you have reason to believe that your loved one lacked the capacity to execute the Will submitted to … [Read more...] about How Do I Prove Lack of Testamentary Capacity in California?

Even if you have never been through the probate of an estate, you have likely heard that probate is something you want to avoid. Whether you are engaged in your own estate planning or faced with overseeing the probate of an estate, you need to know how to get around probate. With that in mind, the Los Angeles estate planning attorneys at Schomer Law Group, APC discuss how to get around probate in California. What Is Probate? When someone dies, they leave behind an “estate” that includes … [Read more...] about How Do I Get Around Probate in California?

Your estate plan is your opportunity to put down in writing what you wish to happen to your estate assets after you are gone.  For most people, one of the strongest motivations for having an estate plan in place is to ensure that those wishes are honored. Unfortunately, the law does allow certain people to challenge the Last Will and Testament that you execute. Because a Will contest is only initiated after your death, you cannot defend your Will if one is filed. There are, however, some … [Read more...] about What Can I Do to Prevent Probate Disputes After I Am Gone?

Probate is the legal process typically required after an individual’s death to settle and distribute the decedent’s estate. The probate process can be costly and complicated even without disputes; however, when a dispute turns into litigation, it can wreak havoc with the administration of the estate. The Los Angeles probate attorneys at Schomer Law Group, APC explain w hat you need to know about California probate litigation. Probate Basics Most people leave behind an estate when they die. … [Read more...] about What You Need to Know about California Probate Litigation

The primary focus of your estate plan may be to ensure that your estate assets are distributed according to your wishes after you are gone; however, there are other goals that you may wish to consider when creating your estate plan as well. For example, you may wish to consider the impact probate will have on your estate and on the loved ones you leave behind. Understanding which assets are part of the probate process, and which are not, is a good place to start. With that in mind, the Los … [Read more...] about Which Assets Go Through Probate?