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COVID-19 California Probate Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: How to move past trust administration delays?

My parents passed away just over a year ago in August 2020. My sister is the trustee and I am just a beneficiary. She hired an attorney and we are near the last stage of closing the trust. The law firm is in the process of putting together the accounting and keep telling my sister that... View More

Julie King
Julie King
answered on Aug 30, 2021

Your sister needs to tell the law firm exactly what you said here, i.e., that they are the cause of the delay and she needs the document by the end of the day tomorrow. Other than that, your sister can just show up at the law firm and take a chance that they're open (due to COVID many people... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: How backed up is probate court to appoint somebody administrator?
James Edward Berge
James Edward Berge
answered on Jun 8, 2021

It all depends on the court. The probate courts in San Francisco and Santa Clara County are not scheduling hearing dates for up to 3 months out from the filing of a petition for probate due to COVID.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate, Contracts and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Can a person file probate lost will claim 10 years after they used same false documents in 2011 only to fail to show up

But took all assets and disappeared. Now back with same will after i paid off house and filed in blind behind my back duing lock down virus

Julie King
Julie King
answered on May 26, 2021

It is difficult to know how to respond to your question without more information. Certainly, if someone has falsified a document and used it in court, there is no way a judge would allow the document to be used UNLESS no one testified or proved that the document was fake. On a different point, if... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: Hi...I live in California (LA County). My wife was the sole beneficiary on her older brother's 401k account.

Her brother died of Covid on January 19th. My wife then died of Covid 4 days later. What happens to the 401k account? Her brother had a daughter, but she wasn't listed as a beneficiary. Does the 401k pass to the daughter, or does it go to my wife's estate?

Jeffrey Louis Gaffney
Jeffrey Louis Gaffney
answered on Mar 29, 2021

It should go to your wife's estate.

A Will or a Trust normally has provisions regarding this sort of situation, but unless the 401K administrator had the brother sign something unusual, then the money would still go to the estate of your wife. But check with the administrator.

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: In CA. My husband/his ex never filed a QDRO. He died. What do I need to do to get CalPERS to pay me his pension?

He caught Covid in the line of duty. I had POA for CalPERS. I'm his beneficiary. I got the QDRO drafted but it wasn't ready until a month after he died so he couldn't sign it. How do I get an order from court that doesn't require his signature so CalPERS will release the lien on... View More

Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
answered on Feb 23, 2021

You probably don't have standing to act on his behalf in family court. That being said, there's definitely something that can be done. When someone dies, the successor in interest (probably you) can be joined into the divorce case to sign documents, including a QDRO. That's what... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: My dad died before he signed amended trust, even though confirmed with estate planner, during covid?

My Dad received amended copy of his living trust 3 days before he died and had not signed them. He did contact estate attorney and confirmed draft. I don't believe signing them was exclusive, but I do know that my dad would want his last wishes honored. I know there must be mitigating... View More

James Edward Berge
James Edward Berge
answered on Nov 13, 2020

If he didn’t sign the amendment, it’s ineffective. It doesn’t need to be notarized, but it does need to be signed by the trustmaker. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but to tell you otherwise is just wishful thinking.

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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: lived unwed with SO for 30+ yrs. He passed no will, daughter wants to claim everything. She have rights to items in home

There was a restraining order against the daughter 6 years ago but I’m not sure if it’s still in place, we didn’t renew it. She wants to take everything in our home and says everything is hers. My name is not on the house title.

Chris M. Bradford
Chris M. Bradford
answered on Jul 15, 2020

First, the restraining order has no effect on division of items after death.

Secondly, who gets what, when there is no will, is broken down into two major categories.

The first category is items which have ownership papers of some kind. For example a house has a deed, which is an...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: My rights oldest daughter only one father passed what are my rights owns house in Walnut Creek calif
Chris M. Bradford
Chris M. Bradford
answered on Jul 15, 2020

I am sorry for your loss. It is unclear who passed away. It sounds like the father of your oldest daughter passed away. Is that correct? There are three main ways to collect assets from someone who passed away: First the person wrote will or trust and left you a gift. You have to read the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for California on
Q: I would like to object to a Petition for Probate.

My brother left a will giving his home located in California to a friend. The will is dated 2003. In 2006 he purchased a home and made a will leaving the home to me (his sister) and my kids (his nieces and nephews). I received a Petition to administrator my brothers estate and would like to file an... View More

James Edward Berge
James Edward Berge
answered on Jun 13, 2020

Yes, you can file an objection based the fact that the Will sought to be proven was in fact revoked by a subsequent Will. You should also file your own petition for probate based on the new Will, the terms of which you’ll need to prove by clear and convincing evidence in the absence of the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for California on
Q: I inherited Mom's house that has a reverse mortgage on it.

I would like to refinance the loan so that I may remain in the home. I have Letters of Administration, and I just received the final distribution court date, but it isn't until October. Mom passed last December (not sure how long the reverse mortgage company will wait before they want the... View More

James Edward Berge
James Edward Berge
answered on Jun 11, 2020

You can't transfer legal ownership of the property to yourself without a formal court order upon final distribution of the estate and that won't happen until October. The loan by its terms comes due within 1 year of the borrower's death. Keep your lender informed on the progress of... View More

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