by Edward Terzian
Challenging a Will Due to Undue Influence
When a family member or heir challenges a final will and testament, one of the most common complaints is that a person used undue influence to change the decedent’s final will. Typically, the person challenging the will in probate court has the burden of proving the claims, but in certain scenarios, the burden of proof can shift to the accused party to prove that he or she did not alter the...by Edward Terzian
Troubling with a trustee can be handled in a legal manner
There are times when a trustee violates his or her fiduciary duty and needs to be removed from the trust. This article, and the next two parts, explain when a trustee can be removed from a trust in California.by Edward Terzian
Contesting a Will Through Probate
Probate is the court-supervised process of authenticating a will. The estate executor or the attorney representing the estate usually initiates probate.by Edward Terzian
What to Expect When Contesting a Will
If you feel like you’ve been unjustly removed from a will or you are curious about the will contest process, then this article is for you.by Edward Terzian
No Will ? What do you do now?
When someone dies without leaving a legal will, he or she has died “intestate.”When a person dies in intestacy, the responsibility of determining the distributions of their assets falls to probate court.by Edward Terzian
Under What Circumstances Does a Will Become Invalid in CA?
Most people know that a person’s will is the legal document which dictates how that person’s property should be distributed after they die. But a will should only be used in this manner when it is actually valid under state law. When a person’s estate goes to probate, one party may submit a will to the court to be used in distributing the property in the estate, and the court will determine...by Edward Terzian
When Promised Property is Missing From a Person’s Estate
When a family member or loved one tells you, perhaps over the course of many years before his or her death, that property will be yours once he or she dies, it can come as a rude awakening when that property seems nowhere to be found (or is in the wrong hands) at the time the person dies. In some cases, the property may be gone forever and there is nothing you can do about it, but, in other...by Edward Terzian
Can I Do Probate Court By Myself?
One of the first questions most every person asks when faced with a legal challenge or pursuing a legal goal is, “Do I need a lawyer for this?” No one loves the thought of the potential expense of working with a lawyer, but, while not every legal issue requires retaining a lawyer (e.g. paying a parking ticket or filing your taxes), attempting to go it alone in probate court without the...by Edward Terzian
Probate Process: How to Contest a Will in California
If you feel you that you have been wrongfully disinherited from a will in California or that you run the risk of being wrongfully disinherited, you should act quickly to make sure your property interests are protected by contesting the will or else run the risk of losing your right to do so. Contacting an Inheritance Recovery Attorney should be your first step to ensure that all legal...by Edward Terzian