At Katzner Law Group, we often hear the question: What happens if someone dies without a will in California? Dying without a will—referred to as dying intestate—means the state decides how your estate is distributed, regardless of your personal wishes. Understanding what this means and how it impacts your loved ones is essential for anyone […]
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At Katzner Law Group, we often advise individuals who either serve as trustees or are beneficiaries under a trust. One of the most important—and commonly misunderstood—areas of trust administration is a trustee’s fiduciary duty. When this duty is violated, it can lead to serious consequences for both the trustee and the trust’s beneficiaries. A breach […]
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While we all know that tomorrow is not guaranteed, it is a difficult concept to accept and work with, especially if you have minor children. Estate planning provides the tools you need to anticipate your loved ones’ needs. A comprehensive estate plan details your wishes for how your assets will be distributed. It also enables […]
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Estate planning is a structured approach to anticipating and planning for your future and the future of your loved ones while you are healthy. A comprehensive estate plan ensures minor children have named guardians, you and your loved ones are financially cared for throughout your lifetime and beyond, and you have legal and medical assistance […]
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Key Takeaways Community property states treat homes acquired during marriage as shared property. Common-law states grant ownership only to individuals listed on the property title. Property owned before marriage or inherited is generally considered separate property. Adding a spouse to a deed can convert separate property into community property. Mortgage responsibility may remain with one […]
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Trusts can be broadly categorized as revocable or irrevocable. Revocable trusts are commonly referred to as living trusts because the grantor, or person who creates and funds the trust, can retain control over the trust their entire lifetime. When the grantor creates the trust, the trust itself will become the legal owner of the property […]
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A lien can be placed on your property without your immediate knowledge. Typically, when someone places a lien on your property, they are required to notify you. However, communication delays can prevent you from being informed right away, especially if your mailing address is outdated. Any liens against your property become public records when they […]
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Key Takeaways Property ownership after a co-owner’s death depends on the deed’s ownership structure. Joint tenancy with survivorship transfers the deceased owner’s share automatically to surviving owners. Tenancy in common allows a deceased owner’s share to pass to heirs through a will. Tenancy by the entirety transfers full property ownership to the surviving spouse. If […]
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Anna lives in upstate New York. She is the only child of her recently deceased mother. Her father died nearly a decade ago. Anna is the executor of her mother’s estate. She recently made an appointment at her local bank to access her mother’s account. The bank representative said that she could not have access […]
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If you live in California, you may be able to transfer your real property to your heirs upon your death without going through the probate process. By naming a specific beneficiary or beneficiaries on their deed, a California property owner can transfer ownership of their property to their heir using the revocable transfer on death […]
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