The Journal
Plain-English Estate Law
Plain-English guidance on wills, trusts, probate, and protecting your family in California.
Asset Protection Trusts: 2026 Guide
Protect your assets with a 2026 asset protection trust. Avoid probate, maintain privacy, and control asset distribution to your beneficiaries. Learn more today.
Read →Estate Planning for Santa Barbara HNW
Short answer – For Santa Barbara families with large estates, estate planning starts with the federal estate tax, because California has none (Rev. & Tax. Code §13301). Each…
Read →Thousand Oaks Estate Planning Attorney
Plan your legacy with a Thousand Oaks Estate Planning Attorney. Expert guidance on wills, trusts, minimizing 2026 taxes, avoiding family conflicts &...
Read →Asset Protection: Ventura Guide 2026
Protect your assets in Ventura County! Discover key asset protection strategies for 2026 against lawsuits, divorce, business debts, and even spendthrift...
Read →Leave Money to Grandchildren: Intergenerational Planning
Short answer: Yes. California lets you leave your estate to grandchildren and leave a living child out, as long as the documents say so on purpose. The statute…
Read →Estate Planning: First Meeting Prep
Short answer: Bring a list of what you own and how each item is titled, copies of any existing estate planning documents, your beneficiary designations, and a rough…
Read →Why College Students Away from Home Need Medical Powers of Attorney
Short answer: At 18 your child is a legal adult in California (Fam. Code §6500), and being the parent who pays tuition and insurance gives you no authority…
Read →Estate Planning for HNW in Westlake
Short answer – For a Westlake Village family with a large estate, the planning questions are federal estate tax, income tax basis, and the property tax on the…
Read →Want a straight read on where you stand?
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