Are you sure there isn't a "misplaced decimal" here? I agree that 10% is totally outrageous. In many cases even one percent (1%) is too much to...

My life partner died unexpectedly last year. He named me as beneficiary in his will.

Obviously, Mr. Jarrett is not licensed in California. I've never heard of a judge hear writing to the custodian of a retirement account or...

I reside in California and wish to be removed from my parent's will. How do I accomplish this task? Do I need an attorney?

In addition to what Mr. Gibson suggested, you can always file a "disclaimer" of your right to the estate when the time comes. A "disclaimer" is...

I have a living trust which I have been adding my rentals as I buy into on a "Schedule A" form. Is this being done correctly?

Several years ago there was a San Mateo County case (Estate of Heggstad) that has been interpreted as saying you have done what you need to do to...

How can I convince my mother to make me the trustee of her living trust?

Given the family dynamics that you describe, it sounds like it would be money well-spent to have a neutral 3rd party act as the trustee. I've been...

I am looking for a lawyer who deals with probate issues.

If the estate is in probate, it would seem to me that the insurance should be in the name of the estate in care of the executor until the estate...

Since my brother can't fulfill his duty as executor of Dad's estate in VA, Dad's lawyer says stepmom picks. Is this correct?

If Virginia law is like California law, you might be able to get the court to require that she post a "fidelity bond" - basically an insurance...

Can the bank do that?

Section 13100 of the probate code (which creates the ability to collect a small estate by affidavit) provides that you only have the right to...

Are insurance policies against my life with beneficiaries other than my estate or a trust considered part of my estate?

Ms. O'Brien's answer is good as far as it goes. I would add that if you really want to ensure that the policies don't get "shangheied" to pay your...

How can I find a copy of a will filed and probated about 15 years ago in Miami

If the will was probated, you should be able to find it in the probate court in the county where the probate was filed. And if the probate was...