Blog Posts in September, 2013
Posted on Sep 30, 2013 By Stephens Law Group
We get this question a lot. And the California State Bar Foundation (one of our favorite providers of free, easy-to-read consumer guides on many legal subjects) does a good job providing the answer: ...
Continue reading "Do I need a Will?" »
Posted on Sep 27, 2013 By Stephens Law Group
Question : Are probate and estate taxes the same thing? Answer : No, they have only one thing in common – they both occur after your death.Other than that, they really don't have much to do with ...
Continue reading "Are probate and estate taxes the same thing?" »
Posted on Sep 25, 2013 By Stephens Law Group
In California, probate court cases last about 1 year. But it's not unusual for it to take longer. Here's why: In most counties, it takes 4 to 8 weeks before the court will hear a Petition for Probate, ...
Continue reading "How long should a California probate case take?" »
Posted on Sep 24, 2013 By Stephens Law Group
You may have heard that Probate Court in California costs a bundle, but is it really that much? The short answer is: probably. Under California Law (CA Probate Code §§10800-10810 to be ...
Continue reading "Probate court costs how much?" »
Posted on Sep 23, 2013 By Stephens Law Group
Have you considered being an organ donor? You can share that you’re an organ donor on your Facebook timeline. Here's how: At your Facebook profile, click Life Event at the top of your timeline ...
Continue reading "Thinking About Organ Donation?" »
Posted on Sep 17, 2013 By Stephens Law Group
Every good estate plan includes some type of medical Power of Attorney or Advance Directive. This document appoints a "health care agent" to make medical decisions for you if you become ...
Continue reading "Making End-of-life medical decisions in California" »
Posted on Sep 16, 2013 By Stephens Law Group
Do you want your heirs to get along? An estate plan works best when every beneficiary knows in advance who'll inherit what, and why. It's important to tell your heirs, especially your adult children, ...
Continue reading "Want your heirs to get along? Speak with them." »
Posted on Sep 13, 2013 By Stephens Law Group
Are you looking for lost money? Believe it or not, you could be one of millions of Californians who is owed money by the State. The California State Controller's Office acquires hundreds of ...
Continue reading "Eureka! California's Unclaimed Property Law" »
Posted on Sep 12, 2013 By Stephens Law Group
WASHINGTON — In response to the June 26 th #SCOTUS decision invalidating a key provision of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, two weeks ago the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal ...
Continue reading "Major IRS Ruling on Estate Tax and Legal, Same-sex Marriages" »
Posted on Sep 11, 2013 By Stephens Law Group
Do you need a California Will, but can't afford the legal fees? The California State Bar publishes a FREE, statutory Will that you can complete yourself. It can be found in California Probate Code ...
Continue reading "Free California Statutory Will" »
Posted on Sep 10, 2013 By Stephens Law Group
No joke -- these are the top 3 reasons parents tell us why they are choosing to disinherit a child: He/she never writes or calls. He/she married a monster. He/she never paid back our personal loan. Oh ...
Continue reading "Top 3 Reasons Parents Disinherit Children" »
Posted on Sep 5, 2013 By Stephens Law Group
We are pleased to announce the launch of our new website and blog!
Continue reading "Welcome to our Westlake Village Estate Planning Blog" »