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Blog Posts in Estate Planning

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  • Did You Know That You Can Include Your Pets in Your Estate Plan in California?
    Did You Know That You Can Include Your Pets in Your Estate Plan in California?

    It’s true. Sometimes referred to as “companion animals”, California Probate Code §15212 specifically provides for the creation of a trust to care for your beloved dog, cat or other companion animal ...

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  • My Loved One Died; How Do I Know if a Probate is Necessary in California?
    My Loved One Died; How Do I Know if a Probate is Necessary in California?

    Virtually every decision regarding probate is based on title to or value of assets owned by the decedent. Title is important because ownership can transfer as a matter of law (e.g. joint tenancy with ...

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  • If a Parcel of Land Owned by a Decedent Was Not Titled to the Trust in California, is All Lost?
    If a Parcel of Land Owned by a Decedent Was Not Titled to the Trust in California, is All Lost?

    In other words, must there be a full-on probate in California because the real property asset (assuming a value in excess of $20,000.00, no joint tenancy or transfer on death provision in the deed) ...

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  • With the massive increase in baby boomers retiring over the next decade, proper estate planning is more important than ever
    With the massive increase in baby boomers retiring over the next decade, proper estate planning is more important than ever

    Roughly 10,000 Baby Boomers will turn 65 today, and about 10,000 more will cross that threshold every day . ( Pew Research ) With the massive increase in baby boomers retiring over the next decade, ...

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  • Some Probate and Trust Litigation War Stories in California
    Some Probate and Trust Litigation War Stories in California

    I have represented three sisters against their brother over their mother’s will. I’ve represented a child who was adopted and thought she had a great relationship with her presumed half-sister and ...

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  • Why is There a Bypass Trust in Most Estate Plans? To Save Federal Estate Taxes on the Second Death.
    Why is There a Bypass Trust in Most Estate Plans? To Save Federal Estate Taxes on the Second Death.

    1. Each US citizen has a lifetime exclusion amount from estate taxes of $5,340,000 (this amount adjusts for inflation each year). 2. There is an unlimited marital deduction for gifts from a deceased ...

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