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Disinherited House Beneficiaries | Los Angeles Trust Litigation
The median value for a house in California is currently $548,000. When it comes to median home values for Los Angeles, the figures keep climbing. Let's look at LA and some specific neighborhoods where...
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The Dead Trust Beneficiary's Gift | California Anti-Lapse Statute
Grandma and Grandpa have a trust. Their trust provides that at their first death, the trust assets will remain in trust for the benefit of the survivor. At the survivor's death, all trust assets are to...
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Trust Beneficiary Delayed Distributions | Contingency Fees
Whether it's nonchalance, contempt, self-interest or ignorance, delayed trust beneficiary distributions can be truly distressing. Timely trust distributions are welcome, but unfortunately trustees...
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Academic Scholarship 2019 | Announcing the Winner
This year's Hackard Law Academic Scholarship Contest posed the question, "What will you do to improve the lives of the elderly in your community?" Our choice of topic is not accidental - after all, our...
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The Light of Truth | Why Truth Counts in Legal Advocacy
Truth counts - in spirit. "You shall not bear false witness" (Exodus 20:16). In courts: "Swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth - so help me God." In song: "This little...
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HEMS Trustee Duties | The Need to Know Beneficiary Health
All of us have parts of our lives that are on "cruise control" - actions done with little reflection or consideration. We can make efforts to go beyond this. Some Zen practitioners suggest a habit of...
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Failed Trust Accountings | Lack of Accurate Records
We often represent abused beneficiaries who are forced by trustee inaction to petition the probate court to order the trustee to account. The petition must follow the formalities set forth in the...
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Do California Licensed Fiduciaries Put You First? | Aggrieved Beneficiaries
Do California licensed fiduciaries put you first? They should - this is what the law says. This is their duty. The law says that a trustee is in a fiduciary relationship with the trust beneficiaries...
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Lisa Marie Presley | Elvis Estate Heartbreak
Despite rumors and numerous alleged sightings, Elvis Presley, the King of Rock N Roll, died in 1977. At the time of his death, Elvis' only daughter, Lisa Marie, was only 9 years old, but she became the...
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What Section of the Trust Shows the Distribution of Trust Assets to...
Trustees are generally authorized by the terms of the trust or by statute to distribute trust assets, in kind, in cash, or both. When the trust document does not specify a mode of distribution, then...
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How to File a Complaint Against a Professional Fiduciary Trustee
California "licensing is required for non-family member professional fiduciaries who serve as...trustees for at least four non-related trustors." "The Professional Fiduciaries Bureau...in the...
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Professional Fiduciaries' Priorities | Property or People?
I'll start with a disclaimer. We represent beneficiaries who have been abused by banks, trust companies and professional fiduciaries. My take on fiduciary wrongdoing is colored by a lot of experience...
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Trust Beneficiary Rights | Fiduciary Responsibility
Trust litigation lawyers, by default, become frequent advocates for the protection of trust beneficiaries and the assertion of their clients' rights. Ongoing complaints regarding the systemic overreach...
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Inheritance Lawyers Help | Just a Phone Call Away
Inheritance can be baffling. If inheritance means to receive property upon the death of an owner either by will, trust, contract or operation of law by the heir to estate, rights, and liabilities of a...
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California Inheritance Blog | Over 500 Answers
Inheritance can be confusing. People may inherit assets by wills, trusts, insurance policies, intestacy (no will), paid on death accounts, joint tenancy and a number of other legal devices. Getting...
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Protecting Elders from Abuse | Expanding Rights
Isaiah, the prophet and royal advisor, some 2800 years ago, set forth the foundations for protecting the most defenseless members of society: "Learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression, bring...
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Guardianship Accountability Act of 2019 | Rick Black's Recommendations
Rick Black, Executive Director - CEAR, is one of America's leading activists and commentators spotlighting the abusive practices in the conservatorship, guardianship and trust industries. Rick...
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How Long Do You Have to Contest a Will? | CA Estate Litigation
While there are a variety of grounds and reasons for contesting a will in California probate courts, there is an important precondition to a court challenge: standing to sue. In essence, you must have...
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Peter Max | Estate Litigation Battles for Art Riches
Peter Max is a countercultural icon, a painter whose art defined an era of rebellion, freedom, youth, and nonconformity. Because his psychedelic style was so recognizable, he became a wealthy celebrity...
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Elder Financial Exploitation | New 2019 Statistics
This week's Los Angeles Times article, "When a 'trusted' financial professional targets the assets of America's elderly," is worth reading. Whether you're a senior yourself or you have elderly loved...
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