Estate Administration

Keeping Track of Trust Assets

When someone passes away, one of the first things a Trustee need to do is to find out what assets are in the trust, which need to be put into the trust, and which have direct beneficiary designations. Most estate plans have an inventory sheet where all the trust assets are listed, but most people ignore it, or the inventory in it gets outdated over time.

The best place to start is by collecting the deceased person’s mail.

California Estate Planning Laws and your Family – First in a Series: Bicycle Laws – California Vehicle Codes

When parents plan their estate distribution, it is almost always centered around the idea that they are going to make their children’s lives better.

All the parents’ hard work, legacy, morals, beliefs, and visions are for the benefit of the child to pass it along generation to generation.

The Slayer Statute

“Oh you are an Attorney, I have a question or two for you…?” July 4th BBQ’s and other social events are always a fun time to gather and talk to people you haven’t seen for awhile.  Some people talk about their kids, jobs, and vacations.  And then there are the others.  These people find out what you do for a living and then ask you law school finals questions.

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...

The Estate of the Musician Known as Prince

In December 2021, the estate of the musician known as Prince, The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Minnesota Department of Revenue (MDR), settled the valuation of Prince’s estate.  Prince’s music rights were the main point of contention –what is the day of death value of all of his songs and music rights?

SOME COMMON MISUNDERSTANDINGS REGARDING LIVING TRUSTS

SOME COMMON MISUNDERSTANDINGS REGARDING LIVING TRUSTS: 1.  “They cost too much.”  A properly written and legally enforceable living trust typically has a higher initial price tag than what a will does. But, when you take into consideration the privacy, legally enforceable provisions that will protect your assets, and expeditiousness with regard to taking decisive action to safeguarding your interests, a living trust is a very worthwhile investment. In addition, living trusts address such contingencies as making arrangements to care for your (or your spouse) should you become incapacitated, the rights and duties of the acting trustee with protecting your real and personal property (if you’re unable to), and in carrying out your detailed instructions for the dispersal of your estate to your loved ones upon your death. Once more, living trusts are invaluable in that they can enable you to avoid both conservatorship court proceedings and probate altogether. 2.  “I’ll lose control of my assets!”  With you and/or your spouse acting as trustees of your own living trust, you have the unquestioned authority to do anything with your assets as you see fit. You can make purchases, open/close banks accounts, take extended vacations, appoint/remove designated trustees, and you can even dissolve your living trust at any time (as long as you can make your own decisions).  Plus, you alone control who (and at what time) will inherit from your estate. 3.  “Trusts are just for the ‘well-to-do.”  On the contrary, a living trust can provide protections for a wide range of estates.  Wealthy clients are able to avoid having to pay excessive income/estate taxes.  Families of modest means can...