Probate is the legal process of validating a will, appointing an executor or personal representative to manage the affairs of your estate, paying all debts and taxes, and distributing the balance of your estate to your heirs. When you create a living trust, you allow for your heirs to transfer your property to them quickly and easily, without the hassle and delays associated with probate. A living trust helps your heirs keep more of their inheritance because it doesn’t get u

A Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) defines the terms of the divorce, legal separation or annulment. Once the agreement is agreed to and executed by both parties, the MSA is filed as part of the Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage (aka divorce), legal separation, or annulment. In a nut shell, the parties decide the terms of their divorce instead of a judge. The most common issues stated in a MSA are: Child custody/ Visitation/ Timeshare and Support Spousal support Division o

California is a community property state. Meaning absent an agreement to the contrary, property acquired during the marriage is presumptively “community property,” and in the event of a divorce, each spouse is entitled to half. In addition, property acquired before marriage, after permanent separation, through inheritance, or as a gift is presumptively "separate property." This however is a rebuttable presumption. Dangers involving not having a prenup, include but are not li