In this vlog, Litherland, Kennedy & Associates Attorney Maggie A. LaBranch-Gonzales discusses the Estate of Sanchez, Sixth Appellate District. In the Estate of Sanchez, the appeals court upheld that a personal representative may not represent the estate in propria persona (without the assistance of an attorney) even in the probate action on claims pursued for the benefit of the estate’s beneficiaries. Maggie discusses some elements of the case and the importance of hiring a probate attorney … [Read more...] about The Importance of Hiring a Probate Attorney (VIDEO)
The Wonder of Wills
Many Estate Planning attorneys have fielded a question regarding whether an Estate Plan was necessary, or whether a Will is necessary if the client has a Revocable Trust. Let’s settle the debate now. Even in an Estate Plan based upon a Revocable Trust, Wills play an important role. Everyone with an Estate Plan needs to have a Will because certain things can only be done with a Will. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about The Wonder of Wills
Aretha Franklin’s Unsettled Estate (VIDEO)
In this vlog, Attorney Justin M. Kennedy discusses Aretha Franklin's unsettled estate, which, five years after her death, is going to trial due to the discovery of two different handwritten wills. Note: A jury in Michigan has ruled that a handwritten will found under Aretha Franklin's couch cushion is valid as her will, according to the Associated Press. … [Read more...] about Aretha Franklin’s Unsettled Estate (VIDEO)
What Is Probate and Why Do People Avoid It?
Probate is the legal process that occurs after someone dies, where their assets are distributed to their heirs or beneficiaries. While probate can be a necessary and important process, it can also be time-consuming, expensive, and stressful for those involved. For this reason, many people choose to avoid probate altogether. In this post, we will explore why you would want to avoid probate. Time-Consuming One of the main reasons people want to avoid probate is because it can be a lengthy … [Read more...] about What Is Probate and Why Do People Avoid It?
Yes, You Need an Estate Plan! (VIDEO)
In this Vlog, Attorney Justin M. Kennedy discusses his new book "Yes, You Need an Estate Plan!" Justin illustrates in this Vlog that everyone over the age of 18 needs some sort of estate plan, and the documents which should be included in an estate plan can change over the course of someone's life. For more information on Justin's book, visit www.attorneyoffice.com/book. … [Read more...] about Yes, You Need an Estate Plan! (VIDEO)
It’s Important to Have a Coordinated Estate Plan
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. An Estate Plan includes various different moving parts. The Revocable Trust may be the keystone of the plan, but it’s important to consider how the other parts of the plan will work with…or against…the plan. Let’s look at a simple example. John had three children and he wished to leave his assets to them equally. He had $6 million in various assets. John hired an … [Read more...] about It’s Important to Have a Coordinated Estate Plan
LGBTQ+ Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions (VIDEO)
In this video, Attorney Maggie A. LaBranch-Gonzales answers LGBTQ+ frequently asked estate planning questions. … [Read more...] about LGBTQ+ Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions (VIDEO)
What is a Death Probate? (VIDEO)
In this video, Attorney Justin M. Kennedy discusses the death probate. In California, if a decedent passes away with more than $166,250* in assets in their name (not held in Trust), then their assets may be subject to the death probate. In California, a probate attorney is paid a statutory amount which is the same whether you hire an experienced probate attorney, or one who is inexperienced. When you are looking for a probate attorney, you should focus your search on finding an attorney … [Read more...] about What is a Death Probate? (VIDEO)
Estate Planning: Make Today the Day
Studies are conducted periodically to gain an understanding of the estate planning preparedness of adults in the United States. Unfortunately, the results are never encouraging. Most people that are over 65 have a will or some other estate planning document, but a significant percentage of people in this age group do not. The vast majority of Americans that are under the age of 40 are completely unprepared. If you are a young adult and you are single, you should have a will or a trust, but … [Read more...] about Estate Planning: Make Today the Day
4 Roles for a Will (Video)
We see Wills in movies and TV shows all the time – people are always talking about creating or updating their Wills, but what does a Will do? In this video, Attorney Justin M. Kennedy discusses the 4 roles of a Will. Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law are members of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. If you would like to learn more about the importance of estate planning, we invite you to attend one of our free estate planning seminars. … [Read more...] about 4 Roles for a Will (Video)
