California Medi-Cal Estate Recovery: Key Changes for 2026 This information reflects California’s Medi-Cal estate recovery rules as of January 2026. California reinstated the Medi-Cal asset test starting January 1, 2026, significantly impacting estate planning and probate processes. The reintroduced asset…
Effective January 1, 2026, several Illinois Supreme Court Rule amendments took effect. While these changes apply to civil cases generally, they carry specific implications for probate and trust proceedings—areas that often involve ongoing filings and extended court oversight. Why Probate…
On January 2, 2026, the Missouri Court of Appeals (Eastern District) issued its ruling in Spalding v. Martin (ED113426)—a case that offers a useful reminder about trust misappropriation, settlement enforcement, and the practical realities of family trust disputes. The Facts…
California has significantly expanded the pathway to avoid full probate, and the numbers matter for practitioners and clients alike. The New Thresholds Under Assembly Bill 2016, which took effect April 1, 2025, California now allows estates to bypass traditional probate…
The American Bar Association’s January-February 2026 issue of Probate & Property features two articles on digital assets in estate planning—a signal that this is no longer a niche concern. It’s mainstream practice. The Scale of the Problem Digital assets now…
Imagine losing a loved one only to face betrayal from the person entrusted to carry out their final wishes. That’s the sad reality for one family after their grandmother passed away. Despite disinheriting her estranged son, she appointed him executor…
Have you ever thought about what you’d leave behind in your will? Most people stick to the basics—houses, money, family heirlooms. But some folks take it to the next level, turning their final wishes into bizarre, hilarious, or downright eccentric…
Dying without a comprehensive estate plan can lead to significant financial and emotional burdens for surviving family members. A recent InvestigateTV report highlights the complexities of probate, the legal process that oversees asset distribution after death. This post summarizes the…
The estate of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, is a cautionary tale of how even a meticulously planned estate can spiral into a decades-long legal quagmire if critical steps are overlooked. Since Jackson’s untimely death in 2009, his estate—valued…
Florida’s Homestead Laws are a cornerstone of property protection in the state, offering homeowners robust safeguards against creditors and financial seizures. These laws, rooted in the Florida Constitution, have been highlighted recently due to a reported legal maneuver by Sean…