Did Kobe Disinherit His Baby?
March 22, 2020
Not likely according his widow’s recent petition filed in a Los Angeles County Probate Court. What Happened? Kobe Bryant created a trust in April 2003, shortly after the birth of his oldest daughter Natalia, 17. It was amended several times through…
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Categories: Last Will and Testament
What is Estate Planning?
March 13, 2020
Estate Planning. You hear the term, but do you know what it is exactly? Does it mean having a will drafted? Perhaps it means a will and power of attorney. In this blog I will go over the term estate planning. You have an Estate If you Google the term…
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Categories: Last Will and Testament
5 of the Strangest Wills
March 6, 2020
For those who follow my blog, you know that I enjoy finding unique will provisions, especially of the rich and famous. This week I want to share with you 5 strange wills that I have found. 1. Romantic: Jack Benny was a legendary comedian who can stil…
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Categories: Last Will and Testament
5 Things Do-It-Yourself Wills Don't Have
February 29, 2020
1. Right Bargain Everybody loves a good bargain. However, it is important to remember the old adage “you get what you pay for.” I would suspect most people would agree that there are just some things you don’t want to buy at a bargain rate. Thi…
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Categories: Last Will and Testament
Do You Need a Will or Trust?
February 22, 2020
I often receive calls or emails from clients requesting a will and trust. When I explore their estate planning goals, I realize these terms are often used together. However, there are some major differences. The topic of this week’s blog is whether…
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Categories: Last Will and Testament
Can a Killer Inherit?
February 15, 2020
I will admit that I am a fan of Dateline ID and the various other murder shows. Some of these shows have titles such as Wives with Knives, Married with Secrets and Til Death Do Us Part. The names alone just beg you to watch, right? Those shows must h…
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Categories: Last Will and Testament
Did Kobe Have a Will?
February 8, 2020
When I heard about the tragic death of Kobe Bryant and 8 others who died in the helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, one of my first thoughts was “Did he have a will?” What to Protect? At the time of his death, he was married and had 4 children.…
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Categories: Last Will and Testament
Can I Get a Witness?
January 31, 2020
Witnesses are an integral part of making a valid will. Of course, if it is a holographic will, which means it is entirely in your own handwriting, then you do not need a witness of the will. But, what does it mean to witness a will? And, what are the…
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Categories: Last Will and Testament
Can X Mark the Spot?
January 26, 2020
Signing the will is one of the most important parts of making a valid will. But what is a signature? The courts say it is any visible mark made by a testator (person making the will) with the intent that the mark be a signature. Many options are avai…
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Categories: Last Will and Testament
The Will of the Queen of Mean
January 18, 2020
The Queen of Mean is certainly not a moniker many would choose to embrace. Billionaire Leona Helmsely was branded with the title years ago by the press. She died in 2007 and left some interesting provisions in her will. Who Was She? Some people may n…
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Categories: Last Will and Testament