PARENTS & HOMEOWNERS: MY 7-STEP ESTATE PLANNING PROCESS WILL PROTECT YOUR HEIRS
From Creditors, Predators & Bad Choices, And Will Help You Become a (Bigger) Hero to Your Family!
Trust vs Probate Distribution in California: 2025 Guide
California families often assume their assets will transfer smoothly after they pass. Here is where it gets surprising. Probate in California can swallow up 4 to 7 percent of an estate’s value and drag on for up to 18 months, slashing inheritances and draining family patience. Yet the real curveball is this. A simple change…
ESTATE PLANNING AND COVID-19
When the reality of the coronavirus Covid-19 initially began to sink in, people everywhere rushed out to buy toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and other items essential for staying at home indefinitely. Now that Covid-19 is an indispensable part of our daily conversations, individuals are becoming aware of another critical necessity: Coronavirus uncertainties emphasize the need…
A Beginner’s Guide to Estate Planning in Ventura
A Beginner’s Guide to Estate Planning in Ventura Welcome to your ultimate guide to estate planning in Ventura! Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your existing plan, this guide is crafted to help you navigate the process with ease. We’ll cover everything from the basics to more specific local considerations. Grab a…
What Are The Basics And Benefits Of Starting A Trust?
Many clients come to me with questions about trusts: What are they? How do they work? Why should I consider creating one? As an estate planning lawyer at The Law Office of Eric Ridley in California, I’m here to demystify the concept of trusts for you. In simple terms, a trust is a legal arrangement…
How Do I Include My Charitable Giving Wishes in My Estate Plan?
Estate planning is not just about distributing your assets among your loved ones; it’s also an opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the causes you care about. Incorporating charitable giving into your estate plan allows you to support the organizations and causes that hold significance for you. As an Estate Planning Lawyer based in…
The Importance of Regularly Reviewing Your Estate Plan
The Importance of Regularly Reviewing Your Estate Plan Planning for the future is an essential part of life, yet many of us tend to put it off. One crucial aspect of future planning is managing our estate plans. While creating an estate plan is a significant step, regularly reviewing it is equally important. Why, you…
Probate Alternatives in California: Smart Strategies for Families 2025
Probate in California can eat up a shocking amount of your family’s inheritance. Legal fees on a $500,000 estate can soar to $26,000 or more and that’s before accounting for months or even years of paperwork and stress. Most people think a simple will keeps things smooth for their loved ones. Think again. The truth…
Do I Need a Will or a Trust? Understanding the Basics of Estate Planning
Understanding the Basics of Estate Planning Estate planning involves creating a comprehensive plan for the distribution of assets and management of affairs after death. This process is an integral part of managing one’s financial life, as it ensures that personal and financial wishes are honored after passing. Key components of estate planning include wills, trusts,…
When is Probate Required in California?
If a person dies and leaves behind an estate, property, or assets in California that needs to be transferred to a beneficiary, probate is required. If a decedent’s property is left behind, the probate process provides distribution of that property to the heirs of the decedent. Survivors may also open probate proceedings if the decedent…
How to Handle Estate Planning for a Loved One with Dementia
How to Handle Estate Planning for a Loved One with Dementia Dealing with the emotional and practical challenges of dementia is never easy. When a loved one is diagnosed with this condition, it becomes crucial to ensure their affairs are in order, especially regarding estate planning. This guide will help you navigate the complexities of…
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Mr. Ridley is just fantastic. He is knowledgable, attentive, honest and was very patient with my many many questions about my legal situation. I am especially appreciative that he helped me to understand that my situation had a resolution in s(...)
Reasonable Cost
Eric did an excellent job creating our Living Trust. His work was very detailed and thorough, and at a very reasonable cost. I could reach him easily to discuss concerns or questions, and he offered great advice. His depth and e(...)
Favorite Lawyer of All Time
Eric Ridley has to be my favorite Lawyer of all time. He helped me out tremendously being the executor of a family trust. I would give him 10 out of 10 no doubt! He did such a good job for me that I recommended him t(...)
