by Santiago Olivares | Sep 9, 2026 | Living Will, Trust, Elder, Living Trust, California, wills, Estate Planning
Yes, someone with dementia may still be able to change their estate plan in California. The key issue is not the diagnosis itself but whether the person has the legal capacity to understand the decisions they are making at the time they sign estate planning documents.... 
by Santiago Olivares | Jul 1, 2026 | illness, Living Will, Estate Planning, Elder, Conservatorship
A conservatorship in California allows a court-appointed person to make financial or personal decisions for someone who can no longer care for themselves. While conservatorships protect vulnerable adults, they can also be expensive, time-consuming, and emotionally... 
by Santiago Olivares | Jun 17, 2026 | Elder, Guardianship, Usa, California, Estate Planning
Grandparents guardianship rights in California are often misunderstood. Grandparents do not automatically receive guardianship of a grandchild simply because they are family members. However, California courts may appoint grandparents as guardians in certain... 
by Santiago Olivares | Jun 10, 2026 | Estate Planning, Conservatorship, trustee, crisis, beneficiary designations, Inheritance, Elder, illness, Guardianship, Living Will, Living Trust, Usa, California
When families begin noticing signs of parent cognitive decline, waiting too long to plan can create legal, financial, and emotional challenges. Adult children can help protect aging parents by encouraging early estate planning, updating powers of attorney, reviewing... 
by Crista Hermance | Jun 3, 2026 | Trust, Inheritance, Elder, California, Estate Planning
Many California families experience conflict after a parent dies because of a promised inheritance that was never documented. Although parents may have repeatedly promised a child the family home, such verbal statements often carry little legal weight if trusts,... 
by Crista Hermance | Jan 30, 2026 | Conservatorship, trustee, beneficiary designations, executor, Elder, illness, Assets, Process, Attorney, Usa, California, Estate Planning
If you become incapacitated without an estate plan in California, a judge — not your family — may decide who manages your finances, medical care, and daily life. This often leads to a court-ordered conservatorship that is expensive, public, and stressful. Proper...
