The Journal — Plain-English Estate Law
Plain-English guidance on wills, trusts, probate, and protecting your family in California.
What Happens When a Trustee Dies in California
The trust survives, but someone has to formally step in. Here's the order of operations, and the one recording step people skip and regret.
Read →What Does a Successor Trustee Do in California?
Named successor trustee in California? Here's a plain-English walkthrough of the legal duties, deadlines, and pitfalls that come with the job.
Read →Undue Influence vs. Lack of Capacity in CA Trusts
The same facts (an elderly parent, a late-life change, a new favorite caregiver) can support two very different legal claims. Knowing which one fits changes how the case…
Read →What Is Undue Influence Under Probate Code § 86
"He wasn't himself those last two years" isn't a legal claim, but undue influence is. California has written it into statute with real precision, and the law gives…
Read →Trust Transfer Deed After Death in California
"Trust transfer deed" isn't a special deed type. It's a grant deed a trustee signs to move property to a beneficiary, and getting the details right matters.
Read →Can a Trust Be Modified After Death in California?
Once a settlor dies, a trust becomes irrevocable, but irrevocable doesn't mean frozen. California law gives beneficiaries and trustees several real paths to change it.
Read →Can a Trustee Be Personally Liable in California?
Serving as trustee means your own assets can be on the hook if you breach your fiduciary duties, not just the trust's. Here's what actually creates that exposure…
Read →Trustee Liability After Distribution in California
Handing out the last check doesn't end a trustee's exposure. California law gives beneficiaries and creditors real windows to come back after distribution.
Read →Want a straight read on where you stand?
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