Probate can seem overwhelming and complicated. The truth is, it can be. If you’re dealing with probate issues in Rocklin, CA, or you want to pre-plan to avoid it altogether, the right attorney can get you there. A highly experienced probate lawyer guides you through the process and ensures everything is handled properly. At Filippi…
Yes, a trustee can also be a beneficiary in a California trust. In fact, its pretty common to do it that way. Families rely on this structure to name someone they trust to both handle the trust and benefit it. For many trusts, it is exactly the point that the trustee is also the beneficiary,…
A pretermitted child is a child that was accidentally left out of a parent’s will, or their trust. These children have a right to claim part of the estate, even if the valid estate plan leaves them out of it by accident. This often comes up in the case of divorce or more complicated family…
Located near the shores of Folsom Lake, Granite Bay is known for its exceptional quality of life, with exclusive neighborhoods such as Los Lagos and Wexford, as well as a thriving community of entrepreneurs, executives, and retirees. For residents who have built significant wealth over a lifetime, preserving that success requires more than just a…
Sun City Lincoln Hills is one of the most popular 55+ active adult communities in Northern California. Located in Placer County, it offers 3,200 acres with walking trails, golf courses, and resort-style amenities that attract retirees who have built meaningful lives and estates over decades. However, the vibrant activities inside these gates can sometimes obscure…
A Heggstad petition is a very powerful tool in trust and estate administration. This allows families to avoid probate if a particular asset was meant to be in a living trust, but was never transferred to it because the trust creator passed away. The Heggstad petition asks the court to confirm that the asset is…
When someone with a trust passes away in California, the trust keeps assets out of probate. That’s part of the reason why people create one in the first place. But what happens to the trust after you pass? A revocable trust may become irrevocable, and a successor trustee is going to take over. Understanding how…
Putting real estate into a trust is an excellent way to avoid California probate and protect your valuable assets. It smooths the transition to your beneficiaries after you pass and is an integral part of your estate plan. The trust must be properly formed and funded, but an attorney can help you understand how to…
A durable power of attorney is an incredibly useful tool in your estate planning toolbox. It let’s you appoint someone you trust to handle your financial and legal matters if you become unable to do so yourself. This helps you preplan for temporary or permanent incapacity, either through an accident or age-related mental illness. It…
A bypass trust is a very useful tool to help protect married couples and reduce their estate taxes. It can also help protect other assets for your future generations. Also called a credit shelter trust or AB trust, they help bypass over taxation of your estate, as explained more below. An experienced lawyer can help…
