Lafayette Estate Litigation Blog
How do I recognize signature forgeries?
The vast majority of wills are accepted by courts without challenge. However, for various reasons, wills are challenged by family members or other beneficiaries of a decedent, usually because they suspect something is wrong with the will. In some cases, a will written...
read moreHow should an executor prepare a home for sale?
Some California residents decide that their homes should be sold after they pass away. The task of selling the home falls upon the executor of the estate. Family members who are concerned about the home of their loved one being sold as quickly as possible should have...
read moreHow manipulative people con the elderly
When someone uses undue influence, perhaps to alter an estate plan in their favor, they often do it by manipulating the elderly person to change the plan. They want it to look official. They want it to look like the plan reflects the elderly person's true wishes....
read moreBeneficiaries have a right to be notified when probate opens
When a loved one passes, many California residents may anticipate receiving something from the estate. You may have had your eye on a particular object that would remind you of your loved one, or you may have expected that he or she left you a considerable portion of...
read moreDo you have good reason to challenge a will?
While the majority of wills pass through probate without any problems, there are times when someone steps in to contest this legal document. If you're interested in challenging a will, it's important to understand the most common reasons for doing so. This will help...
read moreStan Lee’s former manager facing multiple elder abuse charges
No matter how wealthy and famous an elderly person is, they can become the victim of financial and other types of elder abuse. In fact, having money often makes people particularly attractive targets. According to authorities, Stan Lee, who created iconic superheroes...
read moreMost people don’t know what they’ll inherit from their parents
One potential reason for a will contest is simply that the child does not think the will accurately reflects what their parents owned or what they should get. If you've spent the last decades assuming you'll inherit around $500,000 -- maybe even spending some of that...
read moreDo you suspect an executor has breached his or her duty?
Because an incapacitated or deceased person cannot handle his or her own affairs, someone else is typically in charge of certain matters. For instance, a loved one may have appointed an executor to handle his or her remaining affairs in the event of death. If the...
read moreWho’s entitled to see a living trust after a loved one dies?
A loved one has passed away. You know they had an estate plan that included a living trust. You believe you were one of the beneficiaries of that trust or they told you that you were. Do you have a right to see it now that they've passed away? The person who will be...
read moreHow do we recognize undue influence?
There may come a time when you must rely on sanother person's strength to get through some of life's trickier moments. As people age, their dependence on others gradually increases. But with dependence comes an enhanced risk of being subject to another person's undue...
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