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Intestate Succession: Protecting Your Legacy When There’s No Will

At the Law Offices of Eric A. Rudolph, P.C., we often see the unintended consequences when someone passes away without a will. This situation, known as dying "intestate," can leave your loved ones facing complex legal challenges. Let's explore what intestate succession means for you and your family.Understanding Intestate SuccessionWhen you die without a valid will, state laws determine how your assets are distributed. This process, called intestate succession, may not align with your wishes or your family's needs.How Your Assets May Be DistributedUnder [...]

October 14th, 2024|Estate Administration, Estate Planning|
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Probate and Estate Planning

As a Palm Springs estate planning attorney, I've seen firsthand how the probate process can impact people. When a loved one passes away in California without an estate plan, their assets often go through probate - a court-supervised process that can be difficult, confusing, lengthy and expensiveProbate typically takes 12 to 18 months, but can extend to years for complicated estates or if a dispute arises. This lengthy process can be emotionally draining.Probate costs often range from 3% to 7% of the total estate [...]

September 30th, 2024|Probate|
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Your Advance Health Care Directive

Your Advance Health Care Directive allows you to make important health care decisions and designate an agent to carry out your wishes in the event you are incapacitated. A "Living Will" and "Power of Attorney for Health Care" are similar documents used in other states, but in California, the Advance Health Care Directive (“AHCD”) is the estate planning document that is used to let your wishes regarding medical decisions be known.

August 25th, 2024|Estate Administration, Estate Planning|
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Estate Planning for Same Sex Couples

Are you in a same-sex relationship? Are you married or domestic partners? Have you and your same-sex partner talked to an estate planning attorney, or even given estate planning a second thought? If not, you need to consider doing so sooner rather than later, not only to protect your partner, but to protect yourself as well.Each state provides a default estate plan if you fail to plan your estate. This default estate plan comes in a one-size-fits-all rule for what happens to your property [...]

August 16th, 2024|Estate Planning, LGBTQ Estate Planning|
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Reasons to Update your Will or Trust

Once a person makes a last will or living trust, they often will put it in a safe at home or safe deposit box at the bank and forget about it. However, there are many reasons to review and update your living trust and other estate planning documents. Below is a checklist of events that may prompt you to update your estate planning documents:

August 8th, 2024|Estate Planning|
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Understanding Estate Planning

Estate planning is a crucial but often overlooked aspect of financial and property management. It involves preparing for the transfer of your assets in the event of your death or incapacity. This process ensures that your wishes are honored, and your loved ones are taken care of, minimizing potential disputes and legal complications.Estate planning is not just for the wealthy; it is essential for everyone! Without a plan, your estate will be subject to California law, where the state decides how your assets are [...]

July 23rd, 2024|Estate Planning|
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Protect Your Home With a Living Trust

The best way to protect your home from probate is to transfer it into a Living Trust. A Living Trust allows for the easy transfer of your home and saves thousands of dollars after you pass away. But it is not enough to establish your Living Trust – you must also properly transfer your home to your Living Trust.

July 9th, 2024|Estate Planning|
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