Tag Archives: Probate

Responding to Probate Court Petitions

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Roger Billings

You find out about a Probate court petition that you do not agree with. What do you do? According to Keith Davidson of the California Trust Estate & Probate Litigation Blog: When faced with a Probate Court Petition that you … Continue reading →






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What is a Pour-Over Will? – Estate Planning Basics

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Roger Billings

  It is time to get back to basics. A Living Trust takes the place of a Will. The Trust specifies how the estate is going to be disposed and who has the responsibility for carrying out its instructions. See … Continue reading →






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Adding Your Child to Your Bank Account is Not Such a Great Idea

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Roger Billings

A common means of avoiding probate is to put your child’s name on all of your accounts. This can create some serious problems, not least of which is if a creditor goes after your child’s assets and is able to … Continue reading →






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Jagger Inherits $9 Million

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Roger Billings

  From the Telegraph: L’Wren Scott, the fashion designer who committed suicide last week, left her entire estate of $9 million to her long-time boyfriend Sir Mick Jagger, according to a new report. The contents of her simple will, which … Continue reading →






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Pepsi Inventor Left Original Recipe to Heirs?

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Roger Billings

photo credit: Just Another Wretch Distribution of personal property items is often one of the most difficult obstacles to a peaceful estate plan. The symbolic meaning of keepsakes carries a weight far in excess of their intrinsic value. But a … Continue reading →






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Can I Avoid Probate of My House by Holding It in Joint Tenancy?

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Roger Billings

  Joint tenancy might be a convenient estate planning shortcut, but it also brings some undesirable risks. Joint tenancy is a form of ownership of property where two or more people hold title to the property with right of survivorship, … Continue reading →






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What Is So Bad About Probate and Why Should It Be Avoided? – Estate Planning Basics

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Roger Billings

  Again it is time to get back to basics. Avoiding probate is a primary reason to set up a living trust instead of a will . There are several reasons to avoid probate, and in California particularly the reasons … Continue reading →






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