California Probate Center

We Can Probate Any Estate in California - The Law Offices of Roy Newman

What to Do With Your Trust, Advance Health Care Directive, and Durable Power of Attorney After Divorce

The answer is simple and after you read the following example you will understand shortly why I must emphasize it:  REVOKE IT IN WRITING! Gary Coleman laid bleeding to death at the bottom of the stairs while his ex-wife talked to a 911 operator at the top of the stairs. In that conversation, [...]

Drafting an Estate Plan for those with Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinsons

In “Psychological and Emotional Impact of Chronic Illness on Estate Planning: Case Study Comparing and Contrasting Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease,” Kalb et al disclose the attendant problems with planning for those with MS or PD. They also discuss that “[a]ttorneys need to be alert for the possibility that family members or caregivers might take [...]

Stealing and Theft by Power of Attorney - A New Low

I receive calls from across the nation concerning theft by power of attorney – unfortunately I am not licensed to practice law in every state – and I am often relegated to giving general advice regarding criminal prosecution and the type of attorney that can privately prosecute the theft and get the money back (which [...]

Trust Litigation - A $5 Billion Dollar Trust for the Dogs?

Leona Helmsley left an estate valued at about $5 billion with instructions stating that the money should, at least in part, be dedicated to the wellness of dogs. A few months ago, a judge ruled that the trustees could actually spend the money for other purposes – giving the green light for the trustees [...]

Theft, Stealing, Fraud, and Abuse: The Power of Attorney

A power of attorney is an essential component of any estate plan, but probate litigators know that you must be very careful with whom you entrust the power (see “How Do I Stop Power of Attorney Abuse?“). I have been repeatedly advised by clients of outrageous abuses by those who have been granted the [...]

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - READ THIS FIRST: My Loved One Has Passed Away, What Happens Now?

For those of us who have lost a close family member or friend, the loss is like losing a part of your soul that can never be regained. Experts generally describe three phases of grieving. The first phase involves shock and numbness as the first response, with acute episodes of crying interspersed with periods of calm. This phase generally lasts for the first few weeks.