Should You Have A Will Or A Trust? – A common question from our readers. Most of our readers in Los Angeles and Ventura counties understand that estate planning is important for ensuring that our property is distributed as we wish after death. But for many people, when it comes time to decide how to …. Read More
It is safe to say that most people in Los Angeles would like to pass on from this life with as few regrets as possible. Among the most important things in many people’s lives is family. When there is a rift between family members, often it is hoped that the feud can be put aside …. Read More
A claim of slightly more than $1 million made on the estate of film director Tony Scott has been rejected by the administrators of the estate. The claim had been filed by Creative Artists Agency, which served as Scott’s talent agency, which said that Scott owed the company commissions for several of Scott’s film projects. …. Read More
Readers in Los Angeles no doubt remember James Brown, the “hardest working man in show business” who was one of the most popular music stars of his time. They may also recall that a major probate fight erupted after Brown’s death in 2006. In the latest twist in that probate case, the South Carolina Supreme …. Read More
Besides it being a somewhat uncomfortable subject to think about, many people in Calabasas may be reluctant to take on estate planning because it seems complex. For example, some readers might wonder whether a will or a trust would be a better fit for their goals. More generally, deciding what to leave to whom may …. Read More
Most wills and trusts drawn up in Los Angeles County name the person’s family members, perhaps along with favorite charities, as beneficiaries. But some people may not have families or many close friends. In cases like that, the person’s will may name surprising beneficiaries, including people he or she barely knows — if they have …. Read More
Most people in Los Angeles consider all of their financial assets and personal property when they draw up a will or trust. But readers may not realize that some things cannot be passed on, such as Internet-based data like email and social media profiles. That may seem relatively trivial at first. After all, once we are …. Read More
Some people in Los Angeles find love a second time and get married a second time. This can lead to a blended family with stepchildren and stepparents. Many blended families can co-exist successfully but when it comes to estate planning, failing to clearly express your wishes can lead to unintended results under California law, such as …. Read More
In Los Angles we tend to be trend-setters rather than followers, and it appears that estate planning is no exception. “Spiritual” estate planning is gaining followers, although many are already making their estate planning decisions with this in mind. Just what is spiritual estate planning you may ask? Simply put, spiritual estate planning is making end-of-life and …. Read More
Those of us who live within commuting distance to Hollywood understand that not every famous television or movie star lives out his or her life in luxury. Some move on to other careers while many go to lesser roles as they age. The story of a former star losing money due to mismanagement or financial …. Read More
