Moravec Varga & Mooney

Short Answer You may preserve your parents’ low property tax base if the inherited property was their principal residence and becomes your principal residence. You must also claim the Homeowners’ Exemption or Disabled Veterans’ Exemption within one year and file the appropriate Proposition 19 claim with the county assessor. However, reassessment may apply when the home’s fair market value exceeds the permitted value limit. Introduction California voters approved Proposition 1

Short Answer An Unequal Inheritance does not automatically create a legal problem in California. However, it can increase the risk of Family Conflict, an Estate Contest, and Probate Court litigation when Children or other Beneficiaries believe the distribution resulted from Favoritism, Undue Influence, Lack of Capacity, or unclear intent. Parents can reduce that risk through Intentional Planning, a Well-Drafted Trust or will, current Legal Documents, Written Intentions, and C

Short Answer: Selling a fixer-upper through California probate typically takes 6 to 18 months, depending on court authority, property condition, and heir cooperation. The personal representative must clear all liens using estate funds, decide whether repairs make financial sense based on repair ROI and carrying costs, satisfy disclosure obligations for all known material defects, and price the inherited home at accurate market or as-is value. Consulting a probate attorney bef

Short Answer If one heir lives in an inherited home in California, that heir does not automatically gain the absolute right to keep the house. The result depends on whether the property was willed through probate, passed through trust administration, or transferred in another way. In many cases, the executor or trustee controls the property until the estate is distributed. If multiple heirs share ownership, one heir usually cannot sell, rent, lease, mortgage, or exclude the o

The Quick Answer: Look at the Will or Trust—Then Apply California’s Intestacy Laws If No Estate Plan Exists To determine whether someone...

The Quick Answer: Omitted Spouses May Inherit—Unless an Exception Applies Under California Probate Code §21610, if someone marries after...

In today’s world, blended families are increasingly common. But when a stepparent dies without a will , stepchildren may be surprised to...

Estate planning often raises complex questions about family relationships and inheritance rights. One such question is: Do adopted...

When a loved one passes away and leaves behind real estate, surviving family members often ask: Do all heirs have to agree to sell the...

Disinheriting a child is one of the most emotionally difficult—and legally sensitive—decisions a parent can make. In California, where...

When a parent passes away, emotions often run high—and one of the most sensitive issues can be how to divide the estate among siblings....

When an individual passes away without a valid will in California, their estate is distributed according to the state’s intestate...

In California, it’s not uncommon for caregivers to form close relationships with the individuals they care for. Sometimes, this...

In California, the inheritance rights of stepchildren differ significantly from those of biological or legally adopted children....

In California, stepchildren do not automatically have inheritance rights under the state’s intestate succession laws, which govern the...