Probate in Contra Costa County: What Walnut Creek Families Need to Know in 2026 When a Walnut Creek family walks into my office after losing a loved one, probate is usually the word they’re hoping not to hear. And I understand why. Probate has a reputation — and much of it is deserved. It can be slow, expensive, and public…
Over the years I have seen clients struggle to get access to a parent’s safe deposit box after death. More than once, this seemingly simple task required us to open a probate proceeding in court, even though the deceased parent had set up a revocable trust to avoid probate. I’ve said this before: telling a client we have to do…
When most people think about Hulk Hogan and Ozzy Osbourne, they probably envision iconic moments from the wrestling ring or heavy metal stage, not wills, trusts, or estate planning. But these two late celebrities, who both passed away in July 2025, each had unique family dynamics and high-profile personal lives. Their deaths offer surprising lessons in estate planning from which…
