Estate Planning

If you’ve set up a living trust in California, you might be wondering why anyone would still need a will. After all, isn’t a trust supposed to take care of everything? The truth is, while a trust is a powerful tool for managing and distributing your assets, it doesn’t...

When setting up a living trust, one of the most important decisions you will make is who will serve as your trustee. This individual or institution is responsible for managing your trust assets, carrying out your instructions and protecting the interests of your...

Losing a loved one is never easy, and dealing with the legal paperwork that follows can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, California law offers a way to transfer small amounts of property after death without going through the full probate process. This option, called a...

Modern estate planning goes beyond wills and revocable trusts. For families with significant assets, advanced irrevocable trusts can reduce taxes, protect wealth and ensure financial security for future generations. There are four commonly used strategies, each of...

As part of comprehensive estate planning in California, many clients consider not only wills, trusts and advance health care directives, but also funeral arrangements and prepaid cemetery plots. These arrangements can provide peace of mind, financial security and...

Estate planning in California is important for every married couple, but it becomes even more critical when one spouse is not a U.S. citizen. California’s community property laws and federal estate tax rules create unique challenges that can affect how assets pass to...