The Journal — Plain-English Estate Law
Plain-English guidance on wills, trusts, probate, and protecting your family in California.
Estate Planning Guide 2026: For Families
Plan your family's future with our 2026 estate planning guide. Learn how to protect your children, designate guardians, and manage assets. Get started today.
Read →Best Fit for California Families with Minor Children
California parents with minor children can evaluate whether trust-based estate planning provides structured guardianship and asset management planning.
Read →Family Meetings About Estate Planning: Protecting Your Legacy in California (2026)
Short answer: A family meeting about your estate plan works when it explains the plan you already have, not when it opens the plan up for a vote.…
Read →How to Handle Estate Planning for Out-of-State Properties
Short answer: Real estate follows the law of the state where it sits, not the law of the state where you live. If you own property in another…
Read →HIPAA Estate Planning Guide 2026
Secure your future: HIPAA release forms are vital in estate planning. Ensure healthcare access for loved ones when needed. Learn more in our 2026 guide.
Read →What is the Difference Between a Living Will and an Advance Healthcare Directive?
Short answer: A living will is the part of your planning that spells out your medical treatment wishes if you become unable to speak for yourself. Under California…
Read →Estate Planning for Singles in California
Short answer: If you are single in California, the law does not wait politely for you to get around to estate planning. Die without a will and California’s…
Read →DIY Estate Planning: Pros and Cons
Short answer: DIY estate planning can work for a narrow set of very simple situations, but the failure mode is invisible until someone actually tries to use the…
Read →Want a straight read on where you stand?
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