Transferring Car Title of a Decedent in California: 2026 Guide
Transferring a deceased person’s vehicle is one of the first practical tasks families face after losing a loved one. The good news? California allows most vehicle title transfers without probate. This guide walks you through the DMV forms, 40-day waiting period, fees, and exemptions that San Diego County families need to know.
5 Costly Mistakes with Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
Naming your revocable trust as IRA beneficiary could trigger costly Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) problems. Learn the 5 most common mistakes California families make and how to coordinate your retirement accounts with your estate plan to protect your heirs.
California Small Estate Affidavit: How to Transfer Assets Without Probate in 2026
A California small estate affidavit could save your family months of waiting and thousands of dollars in court costs. If your loved one’s estate is valued at $208,850 or less, you may be able to collect their bank accounts, investments, and personal property without ever stepping foot in probate court. Here’s exactly how the process works and whether you qualify.
Probate vs Non-Probate Assets: 3 Key Differences
Understanding probate vs non probate assets can save California families months of waiting and thousands in court costs. Learn which assets must go through probate court and which transfer directly to beneficiaries. This guide covers California thresholds, timelines, and strategies to minimize probate exposure.
Understanding California Intestate Succession: Who Gets What in 2026?
California intestate succession laws determine exactly who inherits your property if you die without a will, and the results may surprise you. Whether you are planning your own estate or recently lost a loved one without a will, understanding who qualifies as an heir, beneficiary, or next of kin can prevent costly mistakes and family conflict.
How Long is California Probate Without a Will: (12-18 Month Timeline)
California probate without a will happens more often than most families expect. When someone dies intestate, the court steps in to determine who inherits based on state law, not personal wishes. The process takes 12 to 18 months, involves statutory fees based on gross estate value, and requires court appointment of an administrator. Understanding how intestate probate works in California helps heirs prepare for the legal and financial realities ahead.
California Trust Administration Process: Your Complete 8 Step Guide
The trust administration process can seem daunting when you’ve just lost a loved one and suddenly find yourself responsible for managing their trust. The good news is that unlike probate, trust administration in California typically happens outside of court, making it faster, more private, and significantly less costly. This guide walks you through each step so you know exactly what to do and when.
California TOD Deed vs. Living Trust: Clarifying Key Differences in 2026
A California TOD deed avoids probate for your home. But it won’t help if you’re incapacitated, won’t protect your beneficiary’s inheritance, and vanishes if your beneficiary dies first. Simple isn’t always better.
Lessons From the Juice: What OJ Simpson’s Estate Teaches Us in 2025
When OJ Simpson died in 2024, the drama didn’t end; it simply moved from the courtroom to the probate court. Overnight, his estate became a national spectacle: massive debts, a decades-old wrongful death judgment, missing assets, and a trust that raised more questions than answers. But behind all the headlines lies something far more important than celebrity intrigue. Simpson’s estate is a real-world reminder of what can go wrong when lawsuits, creditors, and complicated family dynamics collide and why everyday families need to plan ahead long before chaos hits.
What is an Executor? 7 Essential Executor Duties in California Probate
Serving as an executor in California can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re grieving and trying to make the right decisions for your family. This article breaks down, in plain English, what an executor does, how the probate process works in San Diego County, common pitfalls to avoid, and when it makes sense to partner with a local probate attorney so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.