The probate process in California is a court proceeding that determines who is in charge of a deceased person's assets and where those assets should go. It can be expensive and time-consuming, involving legal fees based on the value of...
Non-U.S. citizens can create estate plans in California, but different tax rules, documentation requirements, and cross-border considerations may apply. Your immigration status, where your assets are located, and whether your beneficiaries are U.S. citizens all affect how your estate is handled.
If you live in California or own property...
Funding your trust is crucial because simply having a trust document is not enough to avoid probate. For a trust to be effective, assets must be properly transferred into it. Many estate plans fail because assets are not...
You can protect your family’s inheritance from estate taxes by using strategies that reduce the taxable value of your estate, such as trusts, lifetime gifting, and proper beneficiary planning. The earlier you plan, the more options you have to preserve what you pass down.
Estate taxes do not affect...
Sandwich generation parents can protect their finances by ensuring they have the right estate planning and financial planning in place. By having the necessary legal documents prepared, such as...
Estate planning gives LGBTQ+ couples in Orange County the legal tools to protect one another, including inheritance rights, medical decision-making authority, and financial control. California and federal law have expanded protections for same-sex couples, but default legal rules still do not always reflect how LGBTQ+ families are structured.
Doing estate planning without legal advice, relying on AI or software, can be risky because these tools may not ask crucial questions or address specific legal and practical issues that only an attorney can identify. Estate...
Yes. Immigrants can legally create a will in California, regardless of citizenship status. If you are 18 or older and of sound mind, you can make a valid will that designates who will receive your property when you pass away.
Your immigration status does not prevent you from protecting...
Estate planning is vital for unmarried partners in California because without proper documentation, the partner has no legal rights or remedies in case of incapacity or death. In California, unmarried partners are not recognized as spouses, which can...
Firm grows to six attorneys and expands client availability with new Saturday meeting options.
OC Wills & Trust Attorneys is excited to announce the addition of attorney Eric Lund to its legal team. With Lund’s arrival, the firm now includes six attorneys and can...
