As an estate administration lawyer in Silicon Valley, I occasionally receive calls from families who need to “reopen” a probate case that was previously closed. While it may sound unusual, reopening probate happens more often than you might think, and understanding the process can help you navigate these situations effectively. What Does “Reopening Probate” Mean? […]

Many people are unfamiliar with the term “probate” until they lose a loved one and discover that managing their final affairs and distributing the estate requires more work than expected—even with a will in place. As a Santa Clara County probate attorney, I’d like to demystify this process for local families. What is Probate? Probate […]

Losing a loved one is never easy, and the situation can become even more stressful when you’re dealing with an out-of-state estate. If your loved one passed away in Santa Clara County and you live elsewhere, you might be wondering about your next steps. As Santa Clara County probate attorneys, we often hear this question: […]

Losing a loved one is never easy. As you navigate this challenging time, you may find yourself responsible for settling their final affairs. As a Santa Clara probate lawyer, I’m here to guide you through this process and help you understand what information we’ll need to get started. The Role of a Probate Lawyer A […]

Facing the probate process can be daunting, and you might wonder if you can handle it yourself. While it’s true that anyone can file for probate independently, there’s much more to it than just filling out forms. If you’re in Santa Clara County and probate is on your horizon, here’s why partnering with a knowledgeable […]

Losing a loved one is a challenging experience, and it becomes more complex when they pass away without a will. In such situations, you might find yourself needing to step up as the personal representative to manage their estate. This task can be daunting, especially in the absence of a will, and often requires the […]

As an experienced Santa Clara probate attorney, I often receive questions from clients about the relationship between life insurance proceeds and estate debts. Many beneficiaries are uncertain about whether they are obliged to use life insurance proceeds to cover the decedent’s debts. Here, I’ll delve into this issue, providing clear, easy-to-understand insights. Life Insurance Proceeds: […]

A death doula, also referred to as an end-of-life doula, guides a person who is transitioning to death and assists their loved ones, according to the International End of Life Doula Association. “Doula” is a Greek word that reentered the modern vocabulary when non-medical support people began assisting at births. Just as birth is a […]

A funeral is a traditional method of honoring a person’s life after death. However, some people don’t feel comfortable having one. Choosing not to have a funeral is entirely acceptable. Your loved ones don’t have to attend the sad event if you want to spare them the burden. If you don’t have a funeral, other […]

After the loss of a loved one, you will likely have to go through a legal process called probate to administer his or her estate. It can be overwhelming and intimidating, as you may not initially know who to contact, what’s required of you, or how the process works in general.  There are also a […]