The Journal
Plain-English Estate Law
Plain-English guidance on wills, trusts, probate, and protecting your family in California.
7 Common California Estate Planning Myths Debunked
Discover 7 common california estate planning myths and learn how to protect your family's wealth and future effectively.
Read →Fund a Trust: Easy Asset Transfers
Short answer: Funding a trust means legally retitling your assets, real estate by a new deed, financial accounts by change of ownership paperwork, other property by a signed…
Read →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 →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 →Want a straight read on where you stand?
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