An executor finally reaches the point where an estate is ready to be distributed, but there is a problem: One of the beneficiaries is nowhere to be found. Maybe the family lost contact years ago. Perhaps the beneficiary moved without leaving an address, changed their name, or lives in another country. Sometimes the person named […]

You signed your living trust, transferred your home into it, and made sure your major assets are covered. Then you open your wallet and realize something: What about the checking account you use every day? It is a surprisingly common question in our Santa Clara estate planning practice. A living trust only works as intended […]

After a parent passes away, there is a long list of things to handle, and the homeowners insurance policy may not be the first thing that comes to mind. The house is still standing, the premium may already be paid, and no one is living there, so it can be tempting to leave the policy […]

Your most responsible child may live in London. Your sister may have retired to Italy. The person you trust most to handle your affairs may be thousands of miles from California. Families are increasingly spread across states and countries, which raises an important estate planning question: Can someone who lives outside the United States serve […]