Plain-spoken answers to the questions families ask us. These articles are educational material, not legal advice, and shouldn’t be relied on as legal counsel.
Another Hollywood icon, Mickey Rooney, passed away recently at the age of 93. He began acting when he was a child; over many decades he made over a hundred movies ranging all the way from musicals with Judy Garland to biographies like “Bill” and family classics like “The Black Stallion.” Mr.
Kelly Phillips Erb wrote recently in her Forbes column about reducing tax-time stress by getting an extension from the IRS. It’s true, the yearly task of doing taxes causes anxiety for a lot of people, including, probably, tax preparers.
Reverse mortgages have lately gained popularity as a way to raise cash using your home as security. A high-profile lawsuit was filed against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on behalf of all widowed homeowners who were adversely affected by the terms of a federal policy regarding reverse mortgages.
What is it that nobody wants to talk about but everyone should absolutely put in writing? Well, here’s a question that answers that question: what do you want to happen to your remains after you die? Of course, there are traditional burials available in traditional cemeteries. Some people want their bodies donated to science.
A recent movie featured a sperm donor who finds out he has hundreds of living biological children. Is art imitating life here? This past year, a well-known reality show winner revealed he had recently met some of his biological children, after having donated sperm several years back.
A “living trust”, known as an “inter vivos” trust, is different from the kind of trust that only comes into being after a person dies. With a living trust, the person creating the trust, may appoint himself or herself as the trustee.
Recently, the LA Times took note of The Captain and Tennille, a famous 70’s pop star couple that is now divorcing. Now, this sort of thing does happen often, and here in LA, sometimes celebrity splits are considered practically family news if you’re a big fan.
California is a “community property” state. “Community property” refers to any property that is acquired by either spouse during a legally valid marriage. This designation comes into play when dividing marital assets as well as in estate-related situations when a spouse dies.
This cautionary tale begins with an unusual story posted in Forbes Magazine, about a TV commercial and a legendary rock star’s final wishes. A recent TV commercial created by the company GoldieBlox contained a song by the Beastie Boys to which different (parody) lyrics had been added.
The person you give durable power of attorney for health care is a matter for very serious consideration, because the responsibilities are big. They might at some point literally hold the power of your life and death in their hands.
When celebrities die, their image may endure in the films, photographs, and works of art. These very images can be the center of legal controversy. Take for instance the case of celebrity couple Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O’Neal. Their decades-long relationship ended with her death in 2009.
Sometimes, people are surprised by news of an unexpected inheritance. And sometimes, this news might take the form of an unpleasant surprise. Imagine finding out that your grandmother left her entire estate to her attorney. Or her parakeet. Or her pharmacist. Could it happen?