
For many reasons, including the avoidance of long winters and the beauty and climate of California, many Canadians own property (real or personal) in California. Canadians who own property in California are inadvertently bound by…
WHAT IS PROBATE? The probate process remains a mystery to many California consumers seeking legal advice. Probate is a legal process through which the appropriate county court sees that the deceased's assets are distributed according…
Quite often people do not include financial assets such as bank accounts, certificates of deposit (CD) and/or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) in their estate planning, i.e. making formal arrangements for distribution of their assets after…
Inheriting money, property, or a share of an estate can feel like a simple gift. It is not always that simple. For many beneficiaries, deciding whether to accept it is a real decision, not a…
With the ever-evolving concept of the “modern family,” many families choose adoption as a method of expanding their family and continuing their legacy. If there was no will there is a series of laws regarding…
Oral promises to make a California trust or Will generally arise when a person orally promises a child, a friend, or a caretaker some or all of their assets once they die. More commonly, the promise…
For many the issue of planning the estate in the event of death is not that important, as most believe that they will have ample time to address it later in life. Some even believe…
On occasion Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP is involved in a probate where a beneficiary or heir is entitled to a distribution and the person has special needs and is receiving government assistance. Unfortunately, if you…
INTESTATE (WITHOUT A WILL) INHERITANCE BY CHILDREN OF UNMARRIED PARENTS If you are a parent who is not legally married to the other parent of your children, you may wonder if your children can inherit…
LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES, IRAS, ANNUITIES, AND PENSION AND PROFIT-SHARING PLANS WITH NO BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION OR NO CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION All too often people do not complete the beneficiary designations for IRAs, 401ks and life insurance…