The Journal
Plain-English Estate Law
Plain-English guidance on wills, trusts, probate, and protecting your family in California.
California Transfer on Death Deed in 2026: How It Works and When a Trust Beats It
A California transfer on death deed, also called a revocable TOD deed or RTODD, lets you name a beneficiary for a house or condo so it passes to…
Read →Do I Still Need My Old A/B (Bypass) Trust in California?
For most California couples, an old-style mandatory A/B trust, also called a bypass or credit-shelter trust, is now often unnecessary and can actively hurt your heirs. Since portability…
Read →Does a Will Need to Be Notarized in California?
No. A California will does not need to be notarized. A valid witnessed will requires your signature plus at least two witnesses who are present at the same…
Read →What Happens If You Die Without a Will in California
If you die without a will in California, you die “intestate,” and the state’s intestate succession statutes decide who inherits your property. What your family receives depends on…
Read →How Much Does an Executor or Trustee Get Paid in California?
Executors and trustees are paid under two different systems, and which one applies depends on how the estate is set up. On a $1,000,000 estate that goes through…
Read →How to Choose a Trustee in California Without a Family Fight
The right trustee isn't the oldest child or the one who'd be offended to be passed over. It's the person who can stay calm, keep records, and treat…
Read →Revocable vs Irrevocable Trust in California: Which One?
For a typical California homeowner the answer is almost always a revocable living trust. Here's the plain-English difference, and the tax claims you should ignore.
Read →Add Your Kids to the Deed Instead of a Trust? (California)
Putting your kid on the deed feels simple and free. In California it quietly creates a tax bill, a creditor exposure, and a refinance problem. Here are the…
Read →Want a straight read on where you stand?
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