Most trusts name family members, typically the settlor’s child(ren), as successor trustee, who have no relevant professional qualification or experience for the job. These non-professional trustees are still fiduciaries and as such have fiduciary duties and their attendant standards of care (standards for performance of duties). Failure to perform duties according to the relevant standard […]
posted on: July 30, 2026
Read MoreIn California, certified death certificates are essential for initiating estate administration, determining jurisdiction via the decedent’s residence, and managing beneficiary rights. These documents are required to transfer title for joint tenancy or real property, claim retirement assets, to claim Pay on Death (“POD”) and Transfer on Death (“TOD”) financial accounts, and to initiate probate and […]
posted on: July 17, 2026
Read MoreSettling a decedent’s estate can involve multiple approaches and even multiple estates, due to the nature of the decedent’s assets involved and how such assets are variously titled. Each asset is considered on its own terms. Each estate is separately administered. Depending on whether a decedent had effective and complete estate planning, the administration of […]
posted on: July 4, 2026
Read MoreSettling a decedent’s estate can involve multiple approaches and even multiple estates, due to the nature of the decedent’s assets involved and how such assets are variously titled. Each asset is considered on its own terms. Each estate is separately administered. Depending on whether a decedent had effective and complete estate planning, the administration of […]
posted on: July 4, 2026
Read MoreA delayed business succession plan can quietly reduce the value of a company long before an owner decides to retire. Waiting too long may lead to tax consequences, leadership disputes, financial instability, and confusion about who will take over if illness, disability, or death suddenly changes the future of the business. What Is Business Succession […]
posted on: June 22, 2026
Read MoreFriends and unrelated care givers are not treated the same as family in the California Probate Code; they are never one’s heirs. Nevertheless, people do leave gifts to friends and unrelated care givers. Heirs are favorably entitled to inherit a deceased person’s estate in the absence of any will or trust. One’s heirs depends on […]
posted on: June 12, 2026
Read MoreIf an individual lives alone without any children or spouse (i.e., “a lone individual”), more consideration is needed as to who will step in as a representative and manage the person’s financial, legal, and health decision making if the individual becomes disabled. Lone individuals can be socially isolated and more prone to fraudsters who befriend […]
posted on: May 29, 2026
Read MoreAs people grow older and experience disabilities they may need or seek some support – often from a child – with important decision making or with managing their assets, income and expenses. But they may not be ready to completely transfer their control. What they want is a middle ground where someone assists them but […]
posted on: May 29, 2026
Read MoreSee Complete Article : Fordham, Dennis, Directed Trusts.pdf
posted on: May 7, 2026
Read MoreA person’s primary residence is often their most valuable asset. What happens after the owner dies depends on whether any estate planning was done in advance. Let us discuss the issues and the options. Is any debt owed on the primary residence? Any unpaid mortgage will be due and payable when the owner dies unless […]
posted on: April 24, 2026
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