How much does a living trust cost in Roseville, CA? Clark Allison's typical fee is $3,000–$4,000. Flat fee, no surprises, includes a deed for your...
Bitcoin, online accounts, and even email need to be part of your estate plan. Here's how to make sure your heirs can actually access your digital...
If you own a home in Roseville CA, you need a living trust to avoid California probate. Here’s what’s at stake and what it costs your family if you...
Is your California estate truly protected? Explore LLCs, SLATs, DAPTs, ILITs & CRTs. Smart asset protection strategies for high-net-worth couples.
Young Roseville families need more than a will. Without a living trust and a named guardian, California decides for you. Here's what you actually...
Divorce changes everything in your estate plan. Here's exactly what Californians need to update and what the law does and doesn't do automatically.
Blended families need more than a standard living trust. Here's how to protect your spouse and your children from a prior marriage at the same time.
If you own a home in San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, or anywhere on the Central Coast, you likely need a living trust. Here's why and how to get it...
When a loved one dies with a California living trust, the successor trustee must administer the trust. Here is what you need to know about California...
Most California homeowners need a living trust, not just a will, to avoid probate. Here's how to know which one is right for your family.
An outdated California living trust can fail your family when it matters most. Learn what to look for and when to update your estate plan.
Clark's random and sometimes prescient and funny observations about California estate planning.
A real case study: how a failed trust amendment led to sibling litigation and a costly outcome. What California families can learn from it.
DAPTs: Nevada vs. Tennessee, Expert Rankings, and Practical Considerations for California Residents
An ILIT keeps life insurance proceeds out of your taxable estate and protects your family. Here's how it works and who needs one in California.
Clark's random and sometimes prescient and funny observations about California estate planning
A California appellate court voided a living trust after finding financial elder abuse and undue influence by a surviving spouse. Here's what it...
If your parents have an outdated estate plan or are losing capacity, act now. Here's how to help them update their trust before it's too late.
The 2026 estate tax exemption is now $15 million permanently. Plus: California probate threshold, Medi-Cal changes, and what it means for your...
California's Medi-Cal asset test for long-term care returns in 2026. Here's what changed, what's exempt, and how a MAPT can protect your home.
If your parent is on your California home title as joint tenant, Prop 19 may trigger a property tax reassessment when they die. Here's what to do.
California Prop 19 changed the rules for joint tenancy and property tax. Here's a clear guide to reassessment rules, exceptions, and planning options.
God Bless Us Every One
Set an example of good money management and your kids will follow.
Learn important estate planning lessons from Charles Dickens' David Copperfield to protect your assets and loved ones from fraud and undue influence.
The most common, and costly, California estate planning mistakes, from unfunded trusts to outdated beneficiaries. Here's how to avoid every one.
Choose beneficiaries wisely in your estate plan to make a meaningful impact. Consider close relationships to ensure your legacy benefits the right...
Name a charity as your IRA beneficiary to maximize tax benefits and streamline trust administration. Learn how to do it effectively and avoid common...
Ensure your family's financial security with life insurance. Learn why term life policies are essential for peace of mind and protecting your loved...
Hand-off instructions tell your successor trustee exactly what to do and where to find everything. Here's what to include in yours.
There are ways to avoid California probate without a living trust, but most have real limitations. Here's an honest look at all seven options.
Everything California families need to know about estate planning — living trusts, wills, probate, and how to get it done right. Free intro call.
Learn the two critical aspects of trust administration to effectively design your living trust and avoid potential pitfalls with heirs and...
The One Big Beautiful Bill made the $15 million estate tax exemption permanent. Here's what that means for California estate planning.
The questions California families ask most about estate planning from living trusts vs. wills to probate costs, answered honestly and clearly.
Moving to Texas to avoid California’s capital gains tax? Learn how the QSBS exemption can impact your tax liability and the steps to establish...
You can create a complete California living trust estate plan virtually on Zoom, from your home, in about two weeks. Here's how it works.
LegalZoom and Trust & Will are cheap. But a California estate plan done wrong can cost your family far more. Here's the honest comparison.
Dogs in heaven? What the experts say, and how to include them in your California estate plan.
The impact of clutter on your life and estate planning, and explore reasons to declutter for peace, freedom, and simpler trust administration.
Revenue Ruling 2023-2 changed step-up basis rules for irrevocable grantor trusts. How to mitigate the tax implications.
Adding asset protection trust provisions to your California living trust shields your children's inheritance from divorce and lawsuits. Here's how.
Naming the wrong beneficiary on your California retirement account can be a costly mistake. Here's the right way to do it, and the mistakes to avoid.
If your parent is aging and doesn't have an updated estate plan, time may be running out. Here's how to help them before it's too late.
Four years later and California's Prop 19 is still with us.
Why a surviving spouse in California should consider filing Form 706 for portability to maximize estate tax benefits and future-proof their legacy.
Learn how California's AB 2016 simplifies probate for small estates but why a living trust still offers the best protection for your assets and heirs.
How potential changes to federal estate tax laws under the Trump administration could impact California families and their estate planning strategies.
Trump’s proposed tax plan aims to extend current estate and gift tax exemptions.
Five questions for financial advisors that can make or break your chances of maintaining the accounts with the next generation.
2025 update on Trump's estate and gift tax, California homeowner's insurance, updating your beneficiary designations, the importance of updating your...
The basics of California estate planning, including living trusts, probate avoidance, trust administration and how to finally get your estate plan...
God Bless Us Every One
Marley's estate plan named Scrooge his successor trustee, executor and beneficiary.
If you value your family and wishes, you need to follow the rules to amend your living trust.
Learn how to prevent your children from becoming trust fund babies by modeling wise money management and gifting during your lifetime.
Estate planning is crucial for your parents and you, and time may be running out.
The election's impact on the estate tax, how to title your brokerage accounts, California asset protection and the Dodgers and Giants.
This article explains what the estate tax could be after the 2024 election and what it has been in past years.
Whether a California surviving spouse must pay her deceased spouse's debts depends on California community property laws and debt classification.
The California Supreme Court's ruling in Haggerty v. Thornton simplifies the process of amending living trusts in California.
Learn about Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs) for estate planning in California, their benefits, and considerations to determine if they fit...
Big banks want your money but not you, and they don't want to deal with your estate plan.
Learn why procrastinating on estate planning in California can lead to a legal and financial mess.
Clark's comments on estate planning, including how to anticipate and plan around potential estate planning problems.
Unmarried couples need separate living trusts, not joint living trusts. Learn about the planning differences between unmarried and married couples.
Understanding the capital gains tax when selling your California home, including federal and state tax, step-up basis, and California withholding tax.
Learn about the California Joint Tenancy Proportional Interest Transfer Rule, Prop 19, and the implications of owning your home with your parent.
Estate planning insights from Clark Allison on trust fund babies, decision making, property tax reassessment, ADU planning, dogs, and Charles Dickens.
Learn about trustee obligations to provide financials and documents to living trust beneficiaries in a California trust administration.
Avoid the hassle of traditional estate planning and work with an attorney you will like virtually from the comfort of your home.
Learn valuable estate planning life hacks from a seasoned estate planning attorney to protect your assets, family, and legacy.
Protect your home and children. Learn how to create a Residence Trust in your living trust for your new spouse or significant other's occupancy.
California's joint ownership rules are complicated and could trigger an increased property tax.
Make an impact with your living trust beneficiaries.
How to talk to your parents about their estate planning.
If you are giving to charity, give your RMD, and reduce your taxable income.
Protect yourself when helping your parent.
When you should file a gift tax return (IRS Form 709).
What you need to do when your loved one dies with a California living trust?
We are committed to California, and estate planning and trust administration are all we do.
You need a California estate plan. Our attorneys will make it pleasant and easy.
Your parents need an updated living trust estate plan to avoid conservatorship and probate.
Marley's estate plan named Scrooge his successor trustee, executor and beneficiary.
Two steps to find a career you will love. Find a career aligned with the life you want and find ways to make the work fit the life you want.
The Estate and Gift Tax Exemption and Annual Gift Exclusion 1997-2024.
If you have the means, would you get more joy out of giving while you are alive?
Keep It Simple. Name Individuals as Your IRA Beneficiaries.
Giving helps others, reduces your taxes, and as a bonus, lifts your soul.
Predatory marriages are on the rise.
Be careful. Transfer on death deeds are not the quick fix some think they are.
Your clients lean on you for their estate planning. This is a big responsibility, and if it's not done right, the consequences are dire.
It may be more difficult and riskier than simply using a living trust.
Avoid these estate planning mistakes to protect your family and assets.
When your parent is no longer mentally competent, it's too late for their estate planning.
Using a Qualified Charitable Deduction will reduce your taxes and help your favorite charity.
To keep the good vibes with your family legacy, don't drop a bomb on your estate plan.
Discover why using an estate planning attorney is crucial for securing your financial and family legacy.
Definition of estate planning terms: Trustee, Executor, Agent, Grantor and Beneficiary
Estate planning does not have to be complicated. We make it simple.
You should include asset protection trusts in your living trust to protect your children's inheritance.
If your parents do not have a living trust, you will suffer the consequences. If you can, you need to encourage them to do their estate planning.
What Happens If I Am a California Resident and I Don't Have a Will or Living Trust?
California courts may not always enforce a no contest clause, but a no contest clause can still be an effective way to block a lawsuit.
California estate planning requires an understanding of estate, gift, capital gains, and property taxes.
Your older parent may need help with her finances and living trust estate plan.
You love your family and you've worked so hard. Don't let it end badly.
Elder abuse by marriage? The strange case of California State Senator Ralph Dills
Why banks struggle to accept durable powers of attorney
Naming primary and contingent beneficiaries of your IRA is an essential part of your estate plan
Financial Advisors are the secret sauce that makes your estate plan work
Maximize your IRA for your children with a Charitable Remainder Trust
You may need to amend your living trust if it has a bypass trust provision
All to the surviving spouse, or to bypass trust or QTIP trust?
2023 gift and estate tax exemption and annual gift exclusion. How much can you gift without a gift tax?
How to transfer your assets to your California Living Trust to avoid probate
Choosing the right successor trustee for your living trust
An overview on estate planning. Why to do it. How to do it. When to do it.
A brief overview of how to fund your living trust
If you don't transfer your assets to your living trust, but you have a writing expressing your intent to do so, then your successor trustee can file...
Checklist of what a trustee should do during trust administration
If you have a living trust, your trustee must begin the trust administration when you pass away.
Using a Professional Trustee or Fiduciary is a good choice if you don't have family members or friends who can be your successor Trustee
California Probate is time consuming and expensive. A Revocable living trust will help your family avoid probate.
A Revocable Living Trust will help you avoid probate, but adding asset protection trust provisions will significantly protect your children's...
California probate is complicated, time-consuming and very expensive. A typical California probate could take 18 months and cost more than $50,000 in...
You have many options on how to set up your estate plan - DIY estate planning websites, traditional law firm or work with an attorney virtually
The IRS just issued Revenue Procedure 2022-32, which allows a surviving spouse to elect "portability." Read on to find out what this means for you.
An estate planning attorney will create a plan that eliminates stress and serves your needs. This guide will help you choose an estate planning...
Knowing what to watch out for will help you avoid the most common estate planning mistakes. Understanding common Estate Planning mistakes can help...
An estate planning attorney is a licensed legal professional that thoroughly understands the state and federal laws that govern the assessment,...
If you have a small estate a will may be enough. If you have a living trust, you will need a pour-over will.
Blended family estate planning presents challenges, and one size fits all estate plans may not work.
If you have already created a Durable Power of Attorney, you should not need a conservatorship.
What happens if you don’t prepare an estate plan? The state of California has a default plan for you, it's called intestacy.
Lifetime Protection Trusts are designed to protect your loved ones and their inheritance from potential divorce claims and lawsuits.
When you pass away, your estate goes through the probate process, and the probate court ensures that your executor distributes your assets per your...
If you have a high net worth estate, your estate plan may need more than a revocable living trust.
Almost everyone needs an estate plan. Many people think the term “estate plan” is something only high net worth individuals need. Not true.
The Secure Act has significantly changed the rules for IRA beneficiaries. Before the Secure Act, beneficiaries could use the Life Expectancy Rule -...
What to do when your parent dies with a living trust
How to choose the right guardian and trustee in your living trust when you don't have a perfect guardian or trustee.
California Prop 19 eliminates Parent Child Reassessment Exclusion but Expands Base Year Value Transfer
Young California adults need a durable power of attorney, health care directive and HIPAA.
Filing estate tax return and electing portability when first spouse dies could eliminate future estate tax if the gift and estate tax exemption drops.
2022 gift and estate tax exemption and annual gift exclusion. How much can you gift without a gift tax?
If you own a home in California, you'll need a living trust to avoid probate.
Keep title of your home in your revocable living trust after you refinance