In the Estate Planning area, we frequently see estates remaining open for years or litigation developing long after a person’s death. Do you remember “The Hobbit” written by J.R.R. Tolkien? For many of us baby boomers, it was a favorite story, one of the first “fantasy” novels which have become…
In San Diego, there are many people wondering in this economy, when they can retire, when to take social security, how much they need to retire, etc. Social security has predicted that many Americans will live into their 90’s in the years to come and the cost of living will…
Recently you may have heard about the conviction of Anthony Marshall, son of New York philanthropist and socialite Brooke Astor. Tony Marshall, the only son of Brooke Astor, was convicted of 14 counts of grand theft and larceny for allegedly stealing millions from his mother’s estate while she was suffering…
Martin Luther King Jr. died in 1968. His wife Coretta Scott King died in 2006 and yet issues are still being disputed over their estates. Two surviving children of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King are fighting over their parents’ estates. Bernice King, who is the administrator of…
ER’s final season and the recent premiere of Grey’s Anatomy were emotional reminders about the importance of organ donation. Family members in both series had to make hard decisions about whether to make organ donations. If you feel strongly about organ donation, one way or the other, it is important…
Newspapers and magazines are already commenting that Michael Jackson’s estate will be a real nightmare. No one seems to know at this point whether Jackson had a will or a trust. Some people think there is no way he would have failed to provide for his children. In the absence…
Wouldn’t it be nice for your heirs to conintue to receive money from your estate long after you are gone? A recent article in Forbes Magazine listed the top celebrities whose estates continue to make money long after their death. Not surprisingly, Evis Presley comes out on top, with income…
Most people in our high tech society have online accounts such as ebay, Pay Pal, Facebook, Linked in, etc. not to mention their online banking accounts, brokerage accounts, and others with passwords. Some people have photographs and documents stored in their computer and have passwords to get into their computer.…
In the category of “stranger than fiction,” a lawsuit has been filed in Arizona by a man who was cut out of his mother’s will. The problem is that she is not dead yet. Here in the San Dieigo Probate Court, will contests are filed but after the death of…
Seniors in San Diego as in other cities across California have many issues that are unique to them: Elder abuse, Medi-Cal planning and eligibility, social security, health care directives and powers of attorney, rights as a grandparent, and various estate planning issues. There is a great publication published by the…