An executor of an estate has many duties and responsibilities, and sometimes they fail to live up to them. Fortunately, California law allows for the removal of an incompetent or unethical executor under certain circumstances. Such cases are more common than you might think, especially in high net worth states like California. Executors do not …
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Right of Survivorship is a tool used in estate planning to protect the intent of a decedent regarding real estate property and other jointly held properties. Here’s a quick overview. Right of Survivorship Definition The right of survivorship refers to the legal right held by a joint tenant, often a spouse, to claim …
California Probate Code § 859 is a tool in every probate litigator’s arsenal which authorizes courts to impose a monetary penalty of “twice the value of the property recovered” against the wrongdoer in certain litigation cases. Here’s a quick guide. What is California Probate Code § 859? California Probate Code § 859 authorizes courts …
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Breaches of fiduciary duty and fiduciary abuses unfortunately are more common than you might think, especially in cases involving the elderly and the infirm. Fiduciaries are often granted broad powers over estate funds and assets, and may take advantage of their trusted position for personal profit or gain. If you suspect that you or a …
Undue influence in families is an act of abuse, often by heirs victimizing their elderly parents or other family members to increase their will inheritance or trust fund distributions. Undue influence can be actual or implied, and proving undue influence is the responsibility of heirs, beneficiaries, trustees of trusts, and administrators or executors of wills. …
To win a partition action can take anywhere from a couple of months to reach a settlement agreement to a year or more if it goes to a court trial. The vast majority of partition actions settle out of court, which reduces the time frame from filing to resolution, and makes funds and/or property available …
If you suspect a sibling is stealing from an estate or trust in which you are a beneficiary, you very likely need the protection of a trust litigation attorney. Unfortunately, sibling theft is an all-too-common occurrence. Fortunately, an experienced trust litigation attorney can usually help recover stolen assets, and quite possibly have your sibling disinherited …
Disinheriting a spouse can be a fundamentally simple – but realistically flawed – process: Simply ask your spouse to sign a contract (e.g. a prenup or postnup) wherein they agree to be disinherited — and to receive none of your estate assets. The challenge is obvious: Most of the time when the topic of assets …
What is the penalty for stealing from an estate? When an abuser steals from an estate, the penalty can be as little as simply returning the stolen monies or assets to the trust or estate. However, the California Probate Code does provide statutory bases for pursuing double damages, treble damages, punitive damages, disinheritance of the …
Undue influence by step parents is a sensitive topic. The headline alone causes a reaction. Based on our experience, a stepmother is one of the most common perpetrators of undue influence. Whether real or perceived, we counsel clients frequently about the topic and regularly investigate these claims. We also investigate, prosecute, and defend undue influence …
Undue influence cases can be complicated to prosecute. Historically, undue influence was limited to situations of influence over the mentally incapacitated. However, as our elderly population continues to grow states, including California, have responded with legislation that allows family members to pursue litigation in situations where a loved one may be of relatively sound mind …
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What are the duties of a trustee in California? California Probate Code outlines Trustee Duties quite clearly. And now, we’re going to make it even clearer. First off, let’s define some popular terms: What is a trust? A trust, or living trust, is a document designed to help families avoid legal process, probate, after …
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