Under California law, a decedent’s family members (even the decedent’s children), are not necessarily entitled to receive an inheritance. A California resident may create an estate plan (a Will or Trust) and may leave their assets to whomever they wish (even non-family members). The decedent may also own other assets that are not subject to […]
Setting up a trust for your children is an efficient way to transfer family wealth to the next generation in keeping with your wishes and to enable your family to avoid the California probate process after your death. A trust also may convey money to charities or colleges and universities that you support. Trust funds can […]
Real estate passed on from one generation to the next is one of the primary ways wealth is built in this country. Siblings who jointly inherit a home or other California real estate assets from a deceased parent can sell the property and the proceeds. However, the common transfer of wealth through inheritance can be complicated if […]
If you are a beneficiary of a Trust in California, you have legal rights. Below is a list of some of a California Trust beneficiary’s basic rights. Obtain Copies of Trust Documents Trust beneficiaries are entitled to receive copies of the Trust documents. Beneficiaries should receive copies of the Trust when either: The Trust (or […]
When children inherit assets from a Trust there are basically two ways for them to receive the assets. They can receive their assets “outright and free of trust,” which means their share of the Trust will be distributed into their name now with no further strings attached. Or their share of the Trust can remain […]
Hire A Lawyer If you have a Trustee who refuses to follow the Trust terms, you are headed to court. The only way to force a Trustee to act, to do the right thing, is to file a petition in probate court and ask the judge to issue orders that will force the Trustee to […]
The old switcher-oo can happen to just about anyone. That’s where the old Trust is abandoned for a new Trust. And the new Trust has entirely new provisions that leave everything to the bad actor. For example, let’s say your oldest brother has decided that he should receive the entire estate. Your father passed away […]
Did you realize that when you are given a gift under a Trust it comes with a string attached? Not just a little string either, but a big, giant rope tied securely around it. That rope is your Trustee. It can be a lifeline, or it can be noose. It all depends on the Trustee. […]
In our latest post on Trust uses and abuses, we are back discussing The Have’s. These are people named in a Trust document receive a gift, but who can’t seem to get it. Many Have’s know they are entitled to a portion of the Trust because they are named in the document. They are either […]
Trusts Wouldn’t it be nice to combine the best features of joint tenancy with a Will? That’s where Trusts come into play. Trusts are now one of the most widely used devices to transfer assets from parent to child. Over the course of this series you are going to learn how Trusts are used, and […]
