Category Archives: Wills and Trusts

estate planning

How to Remove a Trustee

When someone (a “settlor) establishes a trust, one of the things that they will have to decide on is who will serve as its trustee. Since the trustee will be the one overseeing the trust and being responsible for its beneficiaries, it’s important that he or she is someone who may have good legal knowledge, […]

  • Posted on: Jan 20 2023
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Handshake

CA Proposition 13: Keeping the Tax Value of Your Parents’ Home

Buying a home is one of the most exciting purchases you will likely ever make. Real property is often lauded for the fact that it commonly increases in value, or appreciates, over time. But what if you purchase a home and its value increases exponentially? Will you then be required to pay so much more […]

  • Posted on: Feb 11 2022
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trust

Failure to Fund Your Trust

More and more Californians are turning to revocable trusts in order to try to avoid the long and expensive probate process. But what some of these individuals fail to realize is that assets in this trust can only be protected if they are retitled in the name of the trust. While a qualified California estate […]

  • Posted on: Apr 30 2021
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estate planning documents

6 Tips for Naming Your Trust

It may not seem like a big deal, but naming your trust can be a big responsibility. While there are no laws about what the name of your trust must be, as there are with naming your legal entity (e.g. corporation), what you choose to call it can be extremely important. Since trusts are not […]

  • Posted on: Nov 20 2020
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Elderly woman working on her estate plan

Must Heirs Pay Off Their Loved One’s Debt?

As the coronavirus continues to cause an economic recession in the U.S., millions of Americans are accumulating debt and sharp losses in income. But for older Americans, this is not what they expected to leave for their children. If children or other heirs inherit bills when their parents or loved ones pass, are they required […]

  • Posted on: Jun 22 2020
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Special needs adult holding someone's hand.

Special Needs Trusts: What to Know

The point of an estate plan is to provide for our loved ones, whether it be when we become incapacitated, or upon our death. Each of us wants to know that our interests are protected and that our loved ones are provided for. If we become ill we want to know that we will be […]

  • Posted on: Dec 12 2019
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Man meeting with his attorney to discuss a holographic will.

What Are Holographic Wills and Can I Use One?

As life changes over time, it is wise to create and regularly review a Will with an experienced estate planning and probate attorney. This can allow you to make your own decisions for your wishes should you find yourself in certain situations. It also allows your wishes to be carried out when you pass away. […]

  • Posted on: Nov 14 2019
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