California Estate Planning Blog

The California Estate Planning Blog contains news and information related to estate planning.

Author: Scott Sagaria is the name partner of Sagaria Law, a firm with three California offices. Sagaria also writes California Family Law Blog and California Bankruptcy Blog.

Blawg Related Categories: Trusts & Estates • States • California

Recent Posts from California Estate Planning Blog

Estate Planning Following A Loved One’s Death
Losing a loved one is one of the most heartbreaking experiences that a person can go through in life. Even as a person is grieving over their loss, however, he or she may still have…
Trial Continues In Case Involving Woman Whose Living Will Was Not Followed By Her Doctor And Nursing Home Staff
The granddaughter of Madeline Neumann, a 92-year-old woman who had specifically requested in her living will and advanced directive that she not be placed on life-prolonging devices at the end of her life, is suing…
California Court Says Crime Victim Is Not Allowed To Receive Restitution From Attacker’s Trust
A California Appeals Court says that it cannot order a trustee to pay restitution to a victim of a violent crime that was committed by a beneficiary of the trust—if a trust’s terms give the…
Lesbian Adopted By Lover Wants Share Of Family Inheritance Belonging To Former IBM Chairman
A woman who was adopted by her lover says she is entitled to the family inheritance—even though she and her partner have been broken up for years. Patricia Spado and Olive Watson were together for…
Selecting The Right Executor For Your Estate
Choosing the executor of one’s estate is an important and necessary task. The executor is the person who carries out a deceased person’s wishes. Responsibilities can be vast, and it is important to select someone…
If Parents Die Without A Will, A Probate Court Will Appoint Guardian For Underage Children
For parents, writing a will and designating a legal guardian for their child or children is one way to ensure that their children will be taken care of in the event that they become orphans.…
Sparing Surviving Loved Ones From An Estate Planning Nightmare
Although the estate planning messes left behind by famous celebrities are the ones that make the headlines, legal battles over the estates of noncelebrity decedents is not that uncommon. A recent news article in the…
Woman Who Had Power Of Attorney Is Sentenced To More Than Nine Years In Prison For Elderly Abuse
Pearl I. Westmoreland, 79, has been sentenced to spend over nine years in person for exploiting an elderly person. Westmoreland was also found guilty of aggravated white-collar crime and money laundering. In addition to 110…
Battle Contesting Rosa Parks’ Will To Continue In Probate Court
A probate judge has rejected a last-minute motion to dismiss the Rosa Parks will contest case. The civil rights icon’s 13 nieces and nephews are contesting her 1998 will. They claim that Elaine Steele, her…
Man Who Loved Listening To High School Band Leaves $116,000 Endowment From His Estate
Darcy R. MacLachlan, a man who enjoyed listening to the Berkeley Springs High School Band in West Virginia, has left the musical group $116,000. According to Glen R. Stotler, the executor of MacLachlan’s estate, half…