For many people, some of the most important parts of life no longer live in a filing cabinet or a desk drawer. They exist behind login screens, password vaults and cloud accounts. From financial management to family photos and personal communications, a person’s...
Year: 2026
Asking a chosen party to be your executor
It’s not uncommon for people to discover they have been named an estate’s executor after the death of the testator (the person who created the will). This often leads to more confusion during a time of grief, which can potentially affect one’s ability to serve...
3 common commercial lease terms landlords might violate
A commercial lease is a binding agreement between a property owner and a business tenant. Business leaders sign leases to acquire office space, a retail shop or an industrial facility. Business leaders often need assistance negotiating appropriate terms in their...
Is ownership transfer the same as management transition?
Many business owners think ownership transfer and management transition are the same. They often happen together, but they are not the same step. Knowing the difference helps you protect your business, your team and your plans. This matters in family-owned or...
Protecting your family from business risk
As a business owner, you know that you will have to take risks. This risk may include simply seeking financing and taking out business loans. The future can be unpredictable, but you hope that your debt levels will be sustainable and allow the company to grow. One...
Where can you store your estate planning documents?
How you store your estate planning documents is critical. Preventing loss, damage and unauthorized access should be a priority. Besides, you don’t want your executor to go through complicated steps to access them during estate administration. Here is how you can store...
When a title insurance company denies a valid claim
Title insurance is a key component of many real estate transactions. Mortgage lenders typically require that buyers purchase lender policies. Most homeowners also acquire policies that protect their interest in the home. Title insurance companies, like other...
Who can benefit from funding a spendthrift trust?
Spendthrift trusts are very useful for those who have loved ones with less than stellar records of managing their money. But those are not the only beneficiaries for whom spendthrift trusts are useful vehicles. Read on to learn more about other reasons to fund a...
How can you avoid probate and keep your estate out of court?
Passing property to your loved ones should not be complicated, expensive or public, which is often the case when an estate passes through probate. This court-supervised process of transferring property after death remains the default path for many California families...
