Whether your parent still lives in their home or has moved into an assisted living or nursing home facility, their comfort often depends on maintaining their financial health. However, strangers, caregivers and even family members may try to take advantage of them in...
Los Angeles Probate & Estate Litigation Blog
Conservatorships can protect the vulnerable from financial abuse
If your loved one is a senior, an adult with a mental disability or other adult dependent, they may be vulnerable to financial exploitation. Whether it’s because of age or cognitive impairment, your loved one may no longer be able to adequately handle and protect...
Guardianship litigation: You can fight for guardianship
When your loved one died, the last thing you were worried about was their choice of a guardian. You knew they’d make good decisions for their children and make sure they were cared for appropriately. Unfortunately, their choice of guardian was unable to take over the...
Know the reasons to contest a will
Some people know the contents of their loved one’s will before the person passes away. But there are cases in which the contents are much different than what was expected. In these circumstances, there might be a need to file a challenge to the will. This can only be...
When will the state of California review your conservatorship?
Assuming control over the financial and legal decisions for an adult with a disability or an acquired condition like Alzheimer's that prevents them from making decisions on their own comes with a lot of responsibility. Not only do you have to maintain all of your own...
Is that trust legally unenforceable?
Just because a trust was written a certain way does not mean it has to stand. It is possible for the trust to be legally unenforceable based on the conditions that it applies to the distribution of wealth. Remember that social norms shift and change over time....
When should you suspect that a trustee is in breach?
If you are a beneficiary to a trust, you have a legal right to expect that you receive the assets according to the trust instrument. If the person who left you the trust is no longer living, tensions may run high with the trustee. Perhaps you are concerned about what...
How to choose the right executor for your estate
Having a solid estate plan can ease the way for your heirs once you’re gone -- but only if you choose the right executor for your estate. A bad choice could lead to unnecessary delays, unexpected tax consequences and possibly even lawsuits among your heirs. Who do...
Starting your estate planning today? Here’s what to expect
Life is incredibly fragile, and a lot of people these days are facing up to their own mortality. If you’re starting to think about your estate planning needs and want to get started, here are the things you can do right now: You have to identify your goals. Your...
Last will or estate plan fraud may involve actual professionals
When people talk about their concerns regarding an estate plan, the focus is often on whether a family member or caregiver exerted undue influence. They may also question whether your loved one no longer had the necessary testamentary capacity at the time that they...