The Journal
Plain-English Estate Law
Plain-English guidance on wills, trusts, probate, and protecting your family in California.
How to Avoid Capital Gains Tax on an Inherited House in Ventura County
Discover how to avoid capital gains tax in Ventura County in 2026! Learn how revocable living trusts shield assets from probate, saving thousands. Contact a...
Read →Disinherit in California Will
Quick answer: Yes, you can disinherit most relatives in California, including adult children and siblings, by stating your intent clearly in a properly executed will. You generally cannot…
Read →Court Supervised Probate in California: What Families Need to Know for 2026
Short answer: California requires formal, court supervised probate for most estates with more than $208,850 in probate assets, for deaths on or after April 1, 2025, under Probate…
Read →Legacy Planning Strategies for California Families 2026
Discover the best legacy planning strategies in 2026 to protect your loved ones, grow your wealth, and secure your family's future in California.
Read →Can I Remove an Executor in California?
Quick answer: Yes. Under California Probate Code §§ 8500 and 8502, any interested person, a beneficiary, heir, or creditor, can file a petition asking the probate court to…
Read →The BulletproofTrust Problem
Short answer: No trust document is automatically effective just because its cover page calls it “bulletproof,” “ironclad,” or an “asset protection trust.” California does not let someone set…
Read →Will & Trust Benefits 2026 now!
Short answer: A revocable living trust and a pour-over will work together, not as substitutes for each other. The trust holds and distributes whatever you actually transfer into…
Read →All About Wills And Trusts
Short answer: A will and a living trust are not interchangeable. A will only takes effect after a court validates it through probate. A funded revocable living trust…
Read →Want a straight read on where you stand?
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