Becoming the executor of an estate is not an easy proposition, especially when you are unfamiliar with some of the legal terms associated with the tasks you will be required to perform. Some of these terms—assets, debts, heirs, inheritance, and jurisdiction—may be somewhat common knowledge to most. But there are some terms that if you […]

Tags: abatement, beneficiary, codicil, ex parte, Fiduciary, fiduciary duty, intestate, intestate probate, Letters Testamentary, Probate Fiduciary
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Obtaining the death certificate, filing the petition for probate, notifying beneficiaries and creditors, appraising and distributing assets, and paying off debts is already a lot for an executor of a will to handle. But with a rise in the use of computers to handle most everything in our lives and the increase in second or […]

Tags: Assets, blended family, death, digital, digital accounts, Estate Planning, families, laws, Probate, second marriage, will
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As part of our primer for probate in California, the first step for initialing probate is to file your probate petition. Filling out Form DE-111 is the first step to take in California to appoint a personal representative or executor. Let’s breakdown the initial information requests at the top of the form. The Executor and the […]

Tags: administration of estates act, Form DE-111, letters of special administrator, Letters Testamentary, limited authority, Probate, the estate, the executor, will
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A lot of things can happen when an executor or administrator of an estate begins the process of asset distribution—asset mismanagement, distribution delays, and lack of communication among them. As a beneficiary of a trust or an estate, you are entitled to certain rights. Knowing these beneficiary rights will help set appropriate boundaries and expectations, […]

Tags: accountability, beneficiary, fair treatment, Fiduciary, Probate, rights, timely distribution, Trusts, Wills
Posted in Beneficiary, Estate Planning - Wills, Trusts, and Probate, Executor, Probate Code, Trusts, Wills | No Comments »

On paper, becoming an executor or administrator of someone’s estate means you’ve been entrusted to take on an enormous responsibility. Some may consider it an honor… but before you accept this relatively unenviable task, it’s best to understand the key factors of what the job itself entails. Key Factor #1 – Understanding the Difference Between […]

Tags: administrator, executor, Fiduciary, Probate, Probate Fiduciary, Trusts, Wills
Posted in Estate Planning - Wills, Trusts, and Probate, Executor, Probate Code | 1 Comment »