Estate Planning

If you are married, one of your Estate Planning goals may be to ensure that ownership of real property transfers seamlessly from you to your spouse upon your death. To achieve that goal, you may wonder if you can simply use Joint Tenancy until one spouse dies and then set up a trust for the survivor. A better understanding of both the California Joint Tenancy laws and how a trust works may help you decide if such a set up works for your Estate Plan. Joint Tenancy in California Almost any … [Read more...] about How to Use a Trust with Joint Tenancy

For many people, tax avoidance is a primary estate planning goal. If you are among them, and you are married, you may wish to consider incorporating an AB trust into your estate plan. For those who are unfamiliar with the concept, our team of trust attorneys explains the basic fundamentals of an AB trust. Why Tax Avoidance Is an Important Estate Planning Goal Historically, an AB trust was used as an estate planning tool to maximize federal and state exemptions to gift and estate taxes. The … [Read more...] about What Is an AB Trust?

When you create your Last Will and Testament, one of the most important decisions you will need to make is the appointment of an Executor. Your Executor oversees the probate of your estate after your death, meaning he/she will be responsible for securing, managing, and eventually transferring your estate assets as well as paying creditors of your estate. Your Executor is also responsible for defending your estate if the estate becomes involved in probate litigation. What happens though, if your … [Read more...] about What Happens If My Executor Can’t Serve?