We’ve all heard or seen stories of someone obtaining a restraining order because they have been abused in some way and wish to keep someone from coming within a certain distance out of fear for their safety. What we don’t often hear, but is just as prevalent, is elder abuse. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, one to…[...]
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Prop 13 and How to Maintain Your Protections
Aug 28, 2018
In 1987, your mother purchased her home for $85,000. It’s now 2018 and the home is worth over $500,000. Better yet, it’s about to become yours. The caveat: the transfer of this property will immediately trigger reassessment of the property tax, which means you could end up paying a great deal more than what your mother currently pays. The good…[...]
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Years ago, the mantra for actors was wanting to direct. In the last couple of decades, though, that mantra seems to have transformed into, “I want to produce!” Directing a film is one thing; running a successful business is quite another. Like any business, whether it’s started because of a need in the marketplace, a desire to have independent…[...]
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What Is the California Probate Code?
Jun 26, 2018
No matter what happens, no one can bring anything with them when they die. The most we can do to prepare for the inevitable is draft a will or trust, which guarantees that the assets left behind (the decedent’s estate) are transferred to the correct heirs. It seems easy enough, but the process of transferring the estate includes dozens of…[...]
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We all love to believe that when we meet that perfect someone, we’ll walk with them into the sunset of life. The truth is, people and relationships often change, tearing down a marriage just as fast as building it up. Divorce is hard no matter the circumstances, but if kids are involved, couples must consider their feelings and sensibilities over…[...]
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Richard Pryor and John Candy in Brewster's Millions A lot of movies in the marketplace are titled Inheritance (or some variation of that). These films tend to take a dramatic, morose look at inheritances and can be relatable or therapeutic if you’ve recently lost a loved one. But they also focus more on character relationships than with the inheritance itself.…[...]
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Understanding and Tackling Ancillary Probate
Mar 27, 2018
No matter how much planning one does to prepare for the future, no one knows exactly when they’re going to die. In the matter of probate, this can cause various issues, especially when dealing with assets and property in multiple states. The probate process can be time-consuming and expensive when someone dies with all of their property centralized in their…[...]
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Though it was announced in December 2017 that Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in a massive $52.4 billion deal, it’s still too soon to know what that means for properties such as The X-Men or The Simpsons because the deal itself must first go through a regulatory review to make sure the sale is legal and doesn’t violate any antitrust…[...]
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New laws are coming in 2018. Which ones may affect you? Did you know before this year it was illegal to enter a crosswalk after the “Don’t Walk” symbol begins flashing? With over 900 bills signed into law last year, it’s nearly impossible to know what is and isn’t legal. The majority of laws going into effect this year won’t…[...]
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Posting Bond in Probate Court
Dec 27, 2017
In a lot of movies, we often see grieving families gather together to observe the reading of the deceased’s will, after which, everyone receives their inheritance without a lot of fuss. The reality concerning the distribution of assets (also known as probate), though, is far more complex. An executor must be named to oversee the collection, assessment and appraisal of…[...]
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