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!
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…
Avoiding Probate Disputes in California: Protect Your Wealth in 2025
Probate battles in California have become a flashpoint for family tension and financial loss. Over 40 percent of probate disputes trace back to unresolved family conflicts that erupt during inheritance proceedings. Most people brace for legal headaches or drawn-out courtroom drama. Yet, surprisingly, the best way to sidestep disaster is not a complex loophole or…
Maximizing Your Legacy: Navigating Trusts and Wills for Effective Estate Planning
Understanding the Difference between Trusts and Wills: An informative article that explores the definition, purpose, and key differences between trusts and wills, highlighting their roles in estate planning and asset management, with emphasis on the personalized estate planning services of the Law Office of Eric Ridley.
The Role of an Estate Planning Attorney in Your Future
What is Estate Planning and Why Does It Matter? Estate planning is the process of organizing and managing your assets to ensure they are distributed according to your wishes after your passing. It involves creating legal documents such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney to protect your financial legacy and provide for your loved…
Siblings Contesting a Trust in California: What You Need to Know
When a loved one passes, families hope to come together in support and understanding. But sometimes, inheritances and trust documents bring a different kind of tension, particularly among siblings. Rivalries, long-standing grievances, and misunderstandings can all boil over, especially if someone feels they’re being treated unfairly. If you’re in this situation or know someone who…
Why Should You Consider Naming a Guardian for Your Children?
As parents, we want to be around well into our children’s later years. We want to watch them grow and become the people they will become, as they possibly have and raise their own children. Or, at the very least, as they settle down with a few pets we can visit. But the stark reality…
Estate Planning for Parents of Minor Children: A Complete Guide
Estate Planning for Parents of Minor Children: A Complete Guide As a parent, you have countless responsibilities, and one of the most crucial is ensuring your children’s future is secure, no matter what happens. Estate planning is an essential part of this process, particularly when your children are still minors. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll…
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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(...)
