What steps should be taken when a family member passes away?
The first step is to check if your loved one had a Will or Trust. If they did not have anything prepared, do not fret….the State will not step in to take the assets. The State of California has written a Will for every person under the State Probate Code and property will pass accordingly to your family members. However, if you wish to control who your beneficiaries are, then at a minimum you should write up a Will. Even better control and a great legal fee saver occurs with the use of a revocable living trust. These trusts are simple to set up but incredibly powerful in saving time and costs. This is the best gift to give your family.