Estate Planning

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...

When someone dies in the middle of a divorce in California, handling their estate isn’t as simple as it might seem. Families often face tough questions: Who gets what? Which court is in charge? And how do unfinished divorce proceedings affect the division of property...

You created a revocable living trust and think you are covered. You might be wrong. The most important step after signing your trust is funding – the process of transferring your assets into the trust. Without this step, the trust may not control everything you...