The COVID-19 pandemic has caused numerous changes in most aspects of everyday life, including how children attend school. As many schools throughout the Bay Area transitioned to online learning at the beginning of the pandemic, many parents struggled to juggle helping their children learn, performing their job duties, and handling…
While most parents want the best for their children and strive to provide them with safe and loving environments, others, unfortunately, engage in behavior that causes their children to suffer physical, emotional, and psychological trauma. When parents share custody of a child, they may not always be aware that their…
Typically, if a deceased person drafted a will prior to their death, the courts will uphold the will and disburse the person’s assets according to its terms. There are some exceptions, however, as demonstrated in a recent ruling issued by a California court in which the court found it necessary…
While some step-parents and step-children have a close bond, others have contentious relationships, and it is not uncommon for them to argue over property and assets. In some instances, their disputes continue after the death of the parties that tie them together. This was demonstrated in a recent case in…
When people lose a loved one, they often not only have to contend with the emotional impact of the person’s death, but in many instances, they also have to fight family members who unjustly violate their property interests in the decedent’s estate. The California courts do not view people who…
People that have substantial assets will often feel pressure to provide for their children financially. In some cases, pressure can progress into outright manipulation. Older individuals are particularly vulnerable to financial abuse, and tragically, are sometimes coerced by their children into modifying estate planning documents to preclude other beneficiaries. Elder…
It is not uncommon for wealthy families to create trusts so that they can pass assets on to their children without facing significant tax penalties. While beneficiaries are typically granted certain rights with regard to trusts, parties who bear no relation to a trust generally do not have standing to…
Trusts are useful tools that help people protect their wealth and assets for future generations. In some instances, beneficiaries or other parties may be able to modify a trust. If they do, however, they must ensure that they provide notice to anyone who has an interest in the trust; otherwise,…
It is an unfortunate reality that many people living in California are victims of domestic abuse. Some survivors are reluctant to share their stories with others for fear the violence may become worse, and the signs of abuse are often subtle, especially if people are not aware of what to…
California is a community property state, which means that any property acquired by either spouse during a marriage is considered to be owned by each party equally. Either spouse can identify property as separate, though, and it will remain their sole property if they divorce. Certain actions can transmute or…