Blog
Common Questions About Shielding Assets
Does California Allow Self-Settled Asset Protection Trusts? No. California specifically prohibits self-settled asset protection trusts under Probate Code § 15304(a), meaning a trust you create ...
Common Estate Questions Families Ask
Does Every California Estate Actually Require Full Probate? No. California offers several shortcuts around full probate for smaller or simpler estates, meaning many families never ...
What Happens Without a Written Plan
California Has a Built-In Plan for You Dying without a will does not mean an estate goes unclaimed or ends up with the state. Under ...
Why Handwritten Documents Still Count
California Recognizes Wills Without Witnesses Not every valid will in California goes through a formal signing with witnesses present. Under California Probate Code Section 6111, ...
Why a Name Search Comes First
A New Name Can Carry Hidden Risk Choosing a name, logo, or slogan for a business feels like a creative decision, but it is also ...
Challenging a Disputed Inheritance Plan
What Is a No-Contest Clause? A no-contest clause is a provision in a will or trust that penalizes a beneficiary, often by disinheriting them entirely, ...
Planning Who Takes Over Your Company
Why Do So Few Business Owners Have a Plan in Place? According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, only about half of business owners have ...
How a Revocable Plan Avoids Probate Court
What Exactly Is a Living Trust? A living trust is a legal arrangement created during a person’s lifetime that holds title to certain assets on ...
What Makes a Document Legally Binding
What Does California Require for a Valid Will? California sets specific formal requirements for a will to be legally enforceable, and courts apply these requirements ...
