Category: Estate Law

Whether you have owned your Southern California property for years or recently acquired it, you could find yourself dealing with a boundary dispute at some point. Real estate boundary disputes can be complex and emotionally charged, especially in Southern California, where property values are high. Disputes Over Boundaries Between Neighbors: How Do They Begin? Boundary […]

Are you looking for a New Year’s Resolution that will make a real difference in your life? Make 2023 a year of purpose. Take the time to properly memorialize unwritten agreements, start fresh, turn those potential profit scenarios into contracts. Consider having an experienced lawyer review your estate plan and your current contracts. Reviewing your […]

Thinking about one’s own mortality can be difficult. There are some people who believe you don’t need to think about it. The things we leave behind will not be of concern to us after we die—our assets will become someone else’s responsibility. But it’s important to prepare for the unexpected. In the event of an […]

Whether you’re a trustee under a trust, or acting under a power of attorney or a conservator in a conservatorship, maintaining proper records and preparing periodic accountings are the best ways a fiduciary can help protect itself and serve its beneficiary’s best interests. That brings to mind a case in which our client was serving […]

Ever wonder who owns that land along the freeway located beside your property? Typically, it’s referred to as the “right-of-way” and it’s owned by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). What is a Right-of-Way? A right-of-way is defined as an easement granted or reserved over the land for transportation purposes, this can include highways, public […]

A recent case brought to mind the importance of documentation in business endeavors, especially those with personal roots. We had a client who was very successful at property investing. His brother-in-law was eager to learn and the two of them bought a few properties together. Unfortunately, the brother-in-law had a drinking problem and passed away […]

We were told, “… never heard of that before.” “… can’t be done,” and “Good luck with that!” Indeed, a lawyer’s work is sometimes against all odds and a little luck never hurts. But your lawyer’s success does not rest on good fortune alone. In a law practice, the sources of success are neither aimless […]

With the term “estate planning” we usually think of mature individuals who have a lot of assets to be concerned with. This perception, however, is not entirely accurate. Estate planning is not just for older adults with substantial assets. Young people require estate planning as well, even though they may not have as many assets […]

When people think about estate planning, the first thing that comes to mind is a last will and testament. While this document is useful for communicating your final wishes regarding the disposition of property, it may not be enough. A will can be sufficient for a smaller estate, or one without any unique circumstances. But […]