A living trust is a common California estate planning tool that helps you avoid probate. In theory a trust is relatively straightforward. You sign a document creating the trust and naming a trustee–usually yourself during your lifetime–and then transfer various assets into the trust. For major items like your home,…
The term “trust” refers to an arrangement in which one person holds property for the benefit of another. In estate planning we commonly use revocable and irrevocable trusts as tools to bypass traditional probate. You give your assets to a trustee, who then administers the property for the benefit of…
Estate planning is a process that affects your entire family. The decisions you make today regarding your will and trust can affect your spouse, children, and other relatives years down the line. This is why it is important to make sure your family is aware of your estate planning intentions.…
If you are married or in a long-term relationship, your estate plan will likely name your partner as the principal beneficiary under your will or trust. But what if you both die in a common accident? The law in this area can get a little complicated. California’s 120-Hour Rule When…
One of the main benefits of a living trust is that it can make it easier to administer property you own in multiple states. Probate is handled at the state level, so if you own a house in California and a rental property in Arizona, your probate estate would need…
As any estate planning lawyer can tell you, a living trust can help you avoid probate, as assets in a trust do not pass under your will, which can save your heirs time and money. However, an improperly executed trust can lead to unnecessary confusion and even litigation. Courts Sort…
California is a community-property state. This means that assets acquired during the course of a marriage are considered the equal property of both spouses. For estate planning purposes, one spouse may only dispose of his or her 50% share of community property by will or trust; the other 50% remains…
Parents often create a trust as part of their estate planning to ensure their children have ongoing access to financial resources. When you create a trust, the trustee has certain legal and fiduciary obligations to the beneficiary. But how far does that duty actually extend? “Opportunities Lost” Not Grounds for…
Carrie Fisher, the writer and actress remembered by millions of fans as Princess Leia in the “Star Wars” films, passed away in late 2016. A number of stories published after Fisher’s death mentioned her French bulldog, Gary, a service animal who helped her cope with bipolar disorder. To the relief…
Dealing with real estate is often the most complicated part of estate planning, particularly if you want to provide for multiple family members. Unlike cash or stocks, it can be logistically difficult to divide a house or a rental property among multiple children. In many cases it makes sense to…