How Long Does It Take to Settle an Estate in Santa Clara County, California? One of the most common questions asked when it comes to settling an estate in Santa Clara County is, “How long is this going to take?” The answer to that question is, of course, going to vary depending upon several factors. […]

Losing a loved one is emotionally wrenching. And, unfortunately, being responsible for managing your loved one’s estate and final affairs can make an already terrible situation worse. Amidst all the stress and emotional turmoil, it can be difficult to remember all the important tasks you need to complete. To assist you in handling your job […]

Settling a probate estate in Santa Clara County requires quite a bit of time and a lot of organization. It has the potential to be a long, drawn-out process depending on the state of affairs of the deceased and how easy it is to work with the probate court. However, if you’re well-equipped and prepared […]

The majority of people we see in our Santa Clara estate planning law firm name their adult children as beneficiaries of their estate plan. In most cases, this works well because children typically outlive their parents. But what happens when a child dies before the parent? What becomes of the inheritance that a parent plans […]

An executor is chosen by a testator to carry out the intentions of the will after the testator has died. It’s fairly easy to replace an executor when the testator is still alive—all the testator has to do is simply name a new executor. However, this becomes far more complicated and difficult once the testator […]

It’s always painful when a loved one passes. After death, there’s also the legal obligation of administering an estate, which often includes probate. Santa Clara County probate is the process in which the decedents’ estate is settled and distributed to those entitled to receive an inheritance from the estate. This process can take months or […]

As a Santa Clara County probate lawyer, I am well aware of the hassles and headaches that families face when a loved one’s estate goes into probate. The process can drag out, eating up not just time but also resources that would have otherwise gone to beneficiaries. Appointed executors find themselves with burdensome responsibilities that […]

As a Silicon Valley Probate Lawyer, I’m commonly asked, “What are the most important steps I need to take after the death of a loved one?” While each situation is different, there are eight general tasks that I advise families to start with when attempting to finalize their loved one’s affairs and close out the […]

Many people plan for their retirement by using Roth IRAs due to their great tax benefits, but most don’t know that Roth IRAs are also excellent for avoiding probate. First, here are some basics about tax planning with Roth IRAs that Santa Clara County probate lawyers typically go over with their clients:   Unlike traditional […]

An estate administrator has a duty to manage the estate and do so in the best interest of the beneficiaries. However, not every administrator acts in good faith, and even when they do, disputes and discrepancies can make a beneficiary want to know exactly where the assets are and where they’re going. What duty does […]