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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

At Bochnewich Law Offices, we often hear from clients who are concerned about whether a loved one had the mental clarity to make a valid will. Questions about mental capacity can create serious disputes, especially when heirs feel the wishes expressed in the will don’t reflect the person’s true intent.

At Bochnewich Law Offices, we often meet families facing uncertainty after the loss of a loved one. Trust administration can bring up sensitive legal and emotional questions, especially when beneficiaries believe something is unfair or improper.