Your Guide to Understanding Estate Planning: What to Know Before You Begin If you’re not sure where to begin with estate planning, you’re not alone. Many people find the process intimidating until they realize that estate planning isn’t about paperwork—it’s about clarity, care, and protecting what matters most. Whether you’re just getting started or reviewing existing…
Should You Name Your Trust as the Beneficiary of Your Retirement Plan? When planning your estate, one important decision is determining who should inherit your retirement accounts. These accounts—IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and 457 plans—are tax-deferred vehicles designed to grow over time with pre-tax contributions. The choice of beneficiary can have significant tax and estate planning…
What Happens with Capital Gains Tax When You Inherit a Home in California? An example involving a daughter navigating her mother’s trust illustrates how the step-up in basis works. When Samantha’s mother, Mary Lou, passed away earlier this year, Samantha found herself navigating the responsibilities of trust administration for the first time. Mary Lou had…
Making Sure Your Title Insurance Covers Your Home in a Trust If you’re thinking about putting your home into a revocable living trust, you might assume your title insurance will automatically stay in place. But that’s not always the case! To make sure your home is still covered, it’s a good idea to check your…
📜 New Law Makes It Easier to End Low Value Irrevocable Trusts in California Starting January 1, 2025, California madeit easier to terminate small irrevocable trusts and subtrusts that no longer make financial sense to maintain. These updates offer much-needed flexibility for trustees and beneficiaries—but there’s an important caveat: the trust document itself can override…
