The Journal
Plain-English Estate Law
Plain-English guidance on wills, trusts, probate, and protecting your family in California.
Settle a Parent’s Estate With a Will but No Trust (California)
A will is the instruction sheet for probate, not a way around it. Here's how to actually settle a California estate when there's a will and no trust,…
Read →Ventura Estate Planning: 2026 Expert Guide
Plan your 2026 Ventura estate planning with our expert guide. Wills, trusts, power of attorney & healthcare directives explained. Protect your family &...
Read →What Happens If You Don’t Have a Trust in California?
A will doesn't keep your family out of court. Here's what really happens to a California home with no trust, and the honest list of ways to avoid…
Read →How to Handle Probate Debts and Protect Your Family’s Legacy
Learn how to handle probate debts in California with a step-by-step guide that safeguards your children’s financial security and preserves your legacy.
Read →Prop 19 and the Inherited House: How Reassessment Works
How Prop 19 reassesses an inherited California house: the $1,044,586 cap worked out, the forms and deadlines, sibling and trust distributions, and what happens if the child moves…
Read →Is Your California Living Trust Actually Funded?
A trust only controls what's actually been retitled into it. Here's a self-check you can do this week to find out whether your house and accounts are really…
Read →7 Essential Tips to Prevent Estate Litigation Risks
Learn 7 crucial ways California families can avoid estate litigation risks and protect their legacy with effective planning and practical legal strategies.
Read →CA Will Update: Essential How-To
Update your CA Will in 2026! Life changes? Marriage, kids, finances – your will needs updating. As a CA estate planning lawyer, I can help. Learn more.
Read →Want a straight read on where you stand?
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