Can a Single Person create a Revocable Living Trust?

Yes. A single person can create a Revocable Living Trust. The more important question is “Should a Single Person create a Revocable Living Trust?” The answer to that is also a resounding, YES!   In fact, it is much more important for a single person to have a Revocable Living Trust, than it is for a married couple. This is because sigles need to name someone to handle their affairs in the event that something happens to them. Married people might have some more flexibility depending on how property is owned, or assets are held. But the bottom line is that EVERYONE need to have a trust. A single person would name in his or her trust the person or people who will handle the estate not only in the event of incapacity, but also upon death of the single person. It’s extremely important to note that a trust also contains items such as health care directives, and other documents, which clearly state how you want medical decisions to be made and who is the person you want making them.  This aspect of a trust often overlooked, because most people’s primary focus is on protecting assets so that they can be passed on, and not what would happen if they were suddenly unable to make medical decisions for themselves. If a trust is not in place, then someone must apply to the court for Conservatorship. These are some of the typical issues associated with Conservatorships: A conservatorship is expensive and time consuming and requires at least biannual accountings. You may end up with a conservator you would not have chosen. You may require a team...

MISTAKEN IDEAS REGARDING ESTATE PLANNING

There is a great deal of confusion and mythology regarding estate planning. It’s a subject that healthy, busy people really don’t want to think about. Understandably, the thought of suddenly becoming unable to function (due to disease or a catastrophic illness) and needing to depend upon someone else, along with having to come to grips with the inevitability of death, can really be distressing. However, by taking methodical, concerted action by creating a well-advised estate plan, one can at least confront these unpleasant realities in a rational way.     The following are some examples of erroneous information some people have regarding estate planning:   1. “I don’t have a will and I don’t really own a lot of property, so what’s the problem if I die without one?” You DO have a problem. Without having a witnessed will that is also valid within your state, if you die as a single custodial parent, your surviving minor children run the chance of being taken care of by blood relatives of the probate court’s choosing—not yours. In addition, any remaining financial assets in your name will be evenly distributed to your immediate family members. Without a clear-cut estate plan, your surviving spouse may not have enough of your money to supplement his/her retirement income.   2. “If I become incapacitated, my executor will take care of everything.” WRONG . Your executor is someone you have designated in your will to carry out your wishes after you pass away. If you’re still alive, and find yourself in failing health, your executor can’t help you. With a smart estate plan, you can...

WHY “DO IT YOURSELF/FILL IN THE BLANK” WILLS & TRUSTS OFTEN RESULT IN DISASTER

WHY “DO IT YOURSELF/FILL IN THE BLANK” WILLS & TRUSTS OFTEN RESULT IN DISASTER Retaining the services and expertise of an attorney who can assist you in preparing a smart estate plan requires a serious investment of time and money. The benefits (however) far outweigh whatever the upfront costs may be. Having the assurance and peace of mind that you and your family will be legally and financially protected in taking on the challenges of the future is inestimable. However, these guarantees vanish immediately when one chooses to forgo retaining experienced legal advice and opting for the “do-it-yourself” approach to estate planning. Many unpleasant scenarios and real potential dangers await those who want to save a few dollars in the short-term; and whose loved ones will probably end up having to pay tens of thousands of dollars correcting their mistakes. Everyone is unique. No two families are the same. The slick advertising that online legal services utilize (especially with using formercelebrity attorneys to pitch their offerings) cannot deny this simple fact: virtual legal document preparers that promise cheap, fill in the blank options for estate planning will never replace the professional, confidential relationship between a lawyer and his/her client. When circumstances require urgent technical advice and counsel, these do-it-yourself websites are of no use to a distraught client. Their staff is prohibited from rendering any kind of practical legal guidance to consumers. If you are making a terrible mistake in your estate planning, they can’t prevent you from doing so (the   unauthorized practice of law is a criminal offense in all 50 states). In addition, these online services...

What is the gross value of the estate?

The gross value of the estate is the fair market value of the estate before the debts are paid. For example, a $200,00 home is left to a child by a parent in a will. As the estate goes through the probate process, there will be fees of approximately $8,000 in Statutory and Attorney Fees. These fees are due, even if there’s a mortgage against the home for $180,000, because the fee is based on the full fair market value of the estate before paying off any debts. In addition to court mandated fees, there are other expenses necessary to prepare everything for probate. These may include, but are not limited to: Bondsman fees Asset appraisal fees Court filing fees Publication fees Extraordinary fees The best and safest way to avoid probate is through estate planning and using a Revocable Living...

New Office Location in Palos Verdes

New Palos Verdes Office We are happy to announce the opening of our new Palos Verdes office. Located in the Palos Verdes Twin Towers at: 609 Deep Valley Dr, Suite 200 Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 (310) 316-2400 Map and Directions We are conveniently located throughout the Los Angeles area with offices in Torrance, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Pasadena, Palos Verdes and Costa Mesa. Please visit the individual location pages for information on parking, directions and more about each of our offices. We have planned an continued  expansion to meet increased demand and provide additional convenience to our existing and new clients. As the new offices open, we will let our clients in those areas know if a closer office is available to them. If you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact any of our locations during business hours, 8am–5pm Monday through Friday. Practice Areas Estate Planning Estate planning is the process of establishing a Trust, Will, Durable Power of Attorney, and other related documents during your lifetime. Estate Administration Our firm helps Trustees and Executors comply with the many duties associated with the administration of an Estate. Probate Probate is the legal proceeding supervised by the Superior Court used to transfer title to assets when a person is deceased. Estate Litigation When the need arises to challenge, defend, or enforce a Will or Trust, our Lawyers will represent you in all legal proceedings. Advanced Estate Planning Families with substantial estates require additional strategies beyond a typical Estate Plan to reduce and offset Estate Tax liabilities.   Conservatorship When a person becomes incapable of managing their...