Clik here to view.
What Could Happen if I Don't Have an Estate Plan?
The long and the short of what could happen if you don’t have an estate plan in place if you live in California is that you could trigger a court action called a conservatorship if you became...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Revocable Trust After Someone Dies in...
Though it varies from case to case, depending on the make-up of the trust assets, how all of the assets were vested and the type of revocable trust, it’s typical for a trust administration to take...
View ArticleLosing Control by Adding Someone to Your Bank Accounts
When you simply add someone's name to your bank account, you are subjecting that account to his or her creditors. You don't have to be a bad person to be sued these days, or to be subject to a tax...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Four Unintended Consequences of Putting Your Children on Title to Your Home
When you put your home in co-ownership with your children, your children become co-owners of the property with you. This can cause several problems.First Problem: Putting your home in joint tenancy...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Lisa Marie Presley's Daughters Set to Inherit Graceland
After the sudden death of Lisa Marie Presley's in January of 2023, her three daughters appear to be set to inherit their grandfather's legendary Memphis, Tennessee estate, Graceland.Lisa Marie died at...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Pricilla Presley Filed a Court Action Disputing Her Late Daughter Lisa...
In late January, Priscilla Presley filed a court action in LA County Superior Court in California disputing the trust of her late daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley. Specifically,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
7 Steps to Getting Your Estate Plan Done or Updated
Estate planning doesn't have to be difficult. But it should follow a step-by-step process to ensure success now and in the future. Below are the seven steps to getting your estate plan done or updated...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Transfer-on-Death Deeds in California: The 6 Main Issues They Can Cause
In 2016, the laws in California were updated to allow people with a home, condo, farm of 40 acres or less, or a multi-unit building with no more than four units to be designated on a property deed...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Is it Time to Consider Setting Up an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust?
Now that the federal gift and estate tax exemption is scheduled to go down in 2026 to $5,490,000 with an index for inflation, many clients are looking for ways that they can better protect their...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Olivia Newton-John: How Did She Plan Her Estate?
The famed Grease star, Olivia Newton-John at age 73, lost her battle to cancer last year owning a reported $60 million in assets at the time of her death. Originally diagnosed with breast cancer 1992,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
FDIC Rules for Trust Accounts: Planning in the Wake of the Silicon Valley...
As you have undoubtedly heard by now, the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has many investors and bank depositors concerned about the safety of their funds at their local financial...
View ArticleIf I Have a Trust, Do I Still Need a Will?
In California, if you own a home and other assets, you will most likely need a revocable trust to hold title to your home, bank, accounts, investment accounts, personal property, and business...
View ArticleWhat is a Family Limited Partnership?
A family limited partnership (FLP) is simply a limited partnership structure designed to allow senior family members to own a small share of the value of a business. It also allows them to maintain...
View ArticleWhat Is a Retirement Protector Trust (aka Retirement Plan Trust)?
A Retirement Protector Trust is a trust that acts as a shield or barrier to insulate the principal of your IRA, 401(k) or other qualified retirement account from the trust beneficiary’s creditors, a...
View ArticleNo Clawback for Large Gifts Made Now
As a reminder, on November 26, 2019, the IRS clarified that individuals that take advantage of the increased gift tax exclusion amount (currently $12,920,000 in 2023), would not be adversely impacted...
View ArticleBiden Administration Releases 2024 Greenbook
On March 9, 2023, the Biden Administration released its General Explanations of the Administration's Fiscal Year 2024 Revenue Proposals (informally called the "2024 Greenbook"). The Greenbook explains...
View ArticleWhat Happened to Stephen "tWitch" Boss' Estate After He Died Without a Will?
Choreographer and producer Stephen Boss passed away on December 13, 2022, without a Will. He is survived by wife, Allison Holker and three minor children, Weslie, Maddox and Zaia. In February 2023,...
View ArticleWhat is a No-Contest Clause in a Will or Trust in California?
We are often asked about what a no-contest clause can and cannot do in California when setting up a Will or a revocable trust. Basically, a no-contest clause is language in a Will or trust that results...
View Article3 Key Power of Attorney Powers Everyone Should Have
When setting up an estate plan, most clients focus their time and attention on their Will and Trust and often give little thought to their Power of Attorney (POA) document. The Power of Attorney plays...
View ArticleIs Your Revocable Trust Funding Up-to-Date?
Often clients come in to sign their trust documents and go through the funding meeting with our funding department having good intentions to get all of the checklist items done shortly after their...
View Article