CALIFORNIA PROBATE CENTER

The Authority for Probate Litigation and Estate Planning in California

Chicago Family Fight Over Collection of Baseballs Spirals Out of Control

Those that litigate in probate understand the accuracy of this quote in the Chicago Tribune: “It’s always the emotional items that get fought over,” said Mitch Pawlan, a Deerfield estate lawyer who has used a deck of cards to settle such disputes. “It’s never pretty. One of the things you have to work on is [...]

93-Year Old Pearl Harbor Survivor Found Living in Squalor Due to Elder Abuse

Arnold Bauer is a retired veteran of the armed forces who was lucky enough to survive the attack of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Unfortunately, he is now allegedly the victim of elder abuse. Mr. Bauer, who became a widower in 2007 and is now suffering from prostate cancer and dementia, was found in his El [...]

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE SIGNING THAT LONG TERM CARE CONTRACT

Today, most contracts in general have arbitration clauses which require the signee to agree pre-dispute to resolve any disputes that may arise via arbitration and not in court. This means that most people are agreeing to resolve any dispute outside of court before any dispute even occurs. The contract world of retirement homes and long [...]

California Gold Digging – the California Probate Code Leaves the ‘49er Spirit Intact

Gold digging may be found in the classic case of the 75 year old man marrying the girl of his dreams – who happens to be 18 years old. But probate litigators know that it can come in much more sinister forms – such as the caregiver who marries late to avoid a loophole in [...]

In Re: The Estate of Michael Jackson – The Final Numbers Are In.

Who was not provided for? The settlement agreement provides nothing for Michael’s famous siblings or ex-wives Debbie Rowe and Lisa Marie Presley. However, his mother Katherine Jackson, who is legal guardian to the kids (see “How Do I Become a Guardian?”) will receive 40% of the estate, with another 20% going to charity. Michael’s children [...]

Are California Will Kits – “Do It Yourself Wills” – Legal?

As a probate litigator I can tell you first hand that do-it-yourself wills are a probate attorney’s dream.  Time and again I have seen the damage that self-written wills have done to honest and hardworking people that bought some stationary and tried to do it themselves.  Instead of giving their money to their beneficiaries- 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.

Welcome to the New California Probate Center Website

This site is an expansion to the popular San Diego Estate Center webpage.  Over the coming months and years, keep revisiting this site as the content will change and expand over time.