by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Mar 5, 2018 | Probate Litigation
California fans of the work of the late author Harper Lee may be aware that in keeping with the private life she led, her will was also made private. However, on Feb. 27, following a lawsuit from The New York Times, the will was unsealed. Lee had directed her literary...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Mar 3, 2018 | Blog
Johnny Hallyday was the most famous rockstar in France. He was a French citizen and was mourned by the entire nation when he died there last December.Despite this, Hallyday declared his official residence here in Los Angeles, mostly to avoid the steep French taxes. He...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Feb 23, 2018 | Probate Litigation
A 42-year-old man died intestate in 2006 after a motorcycle crash. He had a Yahoo email account that he had created and shared with his brother. When his surviving siblings sued for full access to the account, Yahoo was initially granted a summary judgment. Now, the...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Feb 20, 2018 | Inheritance Disputes
A deceased California cult leader remains in ongoing litigation as at least four parties vie for the right to claim his body. Charles Manson died on Nov. 19, 2017, at age 83 after spending 46 years in prison for his role in the murder of seven people in 1969. Since...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Feb 14, 2018 | Probate Litigation
A lawsuit filed in a California federal court in January is one of over a dozen dealing with the disputed estate of the singer James Brown, who died in 2006. Brown’s will left around $2 million worth of effects to the six children he acknowledged as belonging to...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Feb 8, 2018 | Inheritance Disputes
It is not uncommon for stepmothers and stepchildren to become involved in estate disputes. In California and throughout the country, will and trust contests and other matters often involve these parties. Stepmothers tend to be in these types of conflicts partially...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Jan 31, 2018 | Trust Administration
For a trustee, being legally responsible for managing, investing, and distributing trust assets can be a daunting task, especially since the trustee is also legally liable should any breach of fiduciary duties occur. Consequently, if you are a trustee who wishes to...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Jan 30, 2018 | Blog
Your parents built up their estate through hard work, dedication, smarts and a little bit of luck. Upon their deaths, they likely wanted you and your siblings to benefit from their tidy estate that may include heirlooms such as your great-grandmothers dresser from...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Jan 29, 2018 | Blog
Stepmothers face numerous hurdles when becoming part of a blended family and blended families are particularly susceptible to tension and family disputes. Estate disputes between stepmothers and stepchildren are a common occurrence. Surprising statistics A staggering...
by Kathryn A. Flanigan | Jan 24, 2018 | Probate Litigation
The late Charles Manson, who died at age 83 after decades in prison for orchestrating the deaths of nine people, continues to demand attention from the California legal system. A judge in Los Angeles must now evaluate competing legal claims for Manson’s estate....
