Practical articles on wills, trusts, probate, and estate planning — written in clear, everyday language for California families.
What happens to your home when you die depends entirely on one thing: how it's titled right now. Not your will. Not your intentions. The title. This guide walks through all four ways a California home can be titled, what your family actually experiences under each scenario, and how to avoid probate entirely.
It's one of the most common questions people search for before hiring an estate planning attorney — and one most attorneys refuse to answer. Real price ranges, what you actually get at each level, and how to make sure you're comparing the right things.
Proposition 19 took effect February 16, 2021, and quietly changed the rules millions of California families had been counting on to pass their homes to their children. Here is what changed, how the numbers actually work, and what it means for your estate plan.
Most California homeowners know they probably should have a trust. Most of them do not have one yet. Here is exactly what happens — the court process, the statutory fees calculated on gross value, and the financial burden placed on your family.
If you own a home in California, have children, or have any assets you care about, you have probably asked yourself this question. This post breaks down the difference in plain English — including why California's probate process makes the answer matter more than most people realize.
How to Choose a Guardian for Your Children
5 Estate Planning Mistakes California Homeowners Make
Does a Living Trust Always Avoid Probate?
What Happens if You Die Without Funding Your Trust?
When Should You Update Your Estate Plan?
What California Probate Actually Costs — And How to Avoid It