Executor vs. Administrator in California Probate: What’s the Difference? When someone passes away without a trust in California, their estate often needs to go through probate—a court-supervised process that can be confusing and time-consuming. One of the first questions people have is: What’s the difference between an Executor and an Administrator? Let’s break it down using…
Does Your Fiduciary Have the Information Needed to File a Death Certificate? When someone passes away, one of the first legal steps is completing the death certificate. It’s required for funeral arrangements, accessing financial accounts, claiming benefits, and beginning estate administration. As part of a well-prepared estate plan, it’s important to ensure your fiduciary—the person you’ve…
106 Children, One Estate Plan: A Powerful Lesson in Defining Legacy When most people think about estate planning, they picture a will, a trust, and perhaps a conversation about who inherits the family home or retirement accounts. But at its core, estate planning is not just about assets—it’s about intention. That principle was recently brought into…
What We Can Learn from the Jimmy Buffett Estate Dispute When most people think of Jimmy Buffett, they picture Margaritaville, beach vibes, and a carefree lifestyle. But after his passing in 2023, the administration of his estate has been anything but relaxed. Buffett left behind an estimated $275 million estate, including real estate, vehicles, private planes,…
New California Law Simplifies Probate for Homes Under $750,000 – What You Need to Know Beginning April 1, 2025, California’s probate system will offer a simpler, more efficient way to transfer a loved one’s primary residence—provided the home is valued under $750,000. Thanks to Assembly Bill 2016 (AB 2016), families may be able to avoid the full probate process…
