Blog

When someone agrees to act as a trustee, they’re taking on a role that’s both meaningful and demanding. A trustee is responsible for managing assets to honor the intentions of the trust’s creator while following all applicable legal guidelines. It’s not just about fulfilling a loved one’s wishes—it’s also about avoiding any mistakes that could lead to trust litigation.

Planning ahead with a well-crafted will can help protect your legacy and give your family clarity during difficult times. While no one likes to think about legal disputes within their own family, it's wise to prepare for every possibility. With the guidance and experience of a skilled probate attorney, you can create a document that stands strong, no matter what challenges arise.

In California, a demurrer is a formal legal challenge a defendant files against a plaintiff's complaint or cross-complaint, arguing that the pleading is legally insufficient and does not meet the requirements to support a valid claim or cause of action. Instead of disputing the facts, the defendant asks the court to dismiss the case (or part of it) because even if the alleged facts were true, they do not constitute a legal wrong or meet all legal requirements.

If you are handling any kind of probate proceeding, on your own or with a lawyer, you will inevitably be confronted with Probate Notes, from the Court’s probate examiners.

When someone passes away and has set up a trust as part of their estate planning, the process of distributing assets doesn't happen automatically. Instead, a trustee has to carry out specific duties to manage and distribute the trust property according to the trust document. While it may seem straightforward, there are legal, financial, and practical actions that need to be completed.

Planning ahead for your medical care may not be the most comfortable topic, but it’s one of the most important things you can do to protect your wishes. When you're no longer able to speak for yourself, having clear legal documents in place makes all the difference. Two of the most commonly used tools in this situation are the living will and the medical power of attorney.

We often work closely with families in Southern California during some of the most emotionally charged legal moments of their lives. Disagreements over inheritance can fracture relationships and prolong grief, particularly when the division of assets is unclear.

We’ve represented countless clients in trust & estate litigation in Southern California and understand how subtle differences between legal concepts can dramatically shift the direction of a case.

In this episode of Your Inheritance, Peter Bochnewich speaks with Kristian Ardelian, JD, Vice President of Major and Planned Gifts at the Eisenhower Health Foundation.

At Bochnewich Law Offices, we regularly assist families struggling with will disputes that surface after the death of a loved one. These disputes often create deep divides between siblings, beneficiaries, and others who expected a different outcome. In many cases, people are surprised by what a will contains—or what it leaves out.