Many California will and trust disputes arise from ambiguity in the document with respect to who is entitled to an asset. Maybe the document was hazy from the start or perhaps circumstances have ...

A valid will in California must be in writing, signed by the testator. This means a physical writing. Electronic documents, with electronic signatures, are valid for many transactions in California ...

Learn how probate validates a will, pays debts, and distributes assets to heirs. State intestacy laws apply when there is no ...

What do you do if someone steals money or property from a trust or estate? California Probate Code section 850 allows you to ask the Superior Court to order the thief to give the money or property ...

California passed two laws over the summer, demonstrating its preference for incremental probate reform, which aims to streamline administration and make California a more hospitable jurisdiction for ...

California living trust laws govern how residents can create and manage trusts to hold their assets, potentially bypassing probate-a court-supervised process for transferring property after death.

New provisions that went into effect in California on Jan. 1, 2011 have put the spotlight on an estate-planning issue that’s often overlooked, but can lead to a legal quagmire if it’s not handled ...

As of this month, inheriting property just got a little easier in California—but only for a select few. Starting April 1, 2025, a new law significantly expanded the definition of so-called “small ...