Blog
New FinCEN Rules for Residential Real Estate: What California Property Owners Need to Know Before March 1, 2026
META DESCRIPTION: New FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rules take effect March 1, 2026. Learn how they may...
Estate Planning Tips for Someone Facing Major Surgery
Receiving news that you need major surgery is never easy. Between coordinating with family members, arranging for...
Your Future Caregivers May Not Be Who You Think They Are
A growing national issue now touches nearly one in four American adults: the caregiving crisis. That means either...
The Hidden Risks of Writing Your Own Property Deed
One goal of estate planning is to help your assets, including your home, pass to your chosen beneficiaries quickly and...
Emotions the Estate Planning Process Can Bring Up—and How to Address Them
Estate planning brings up complex emotions—whether you're creating your first plan, updating an existing one, or...
How to Get Organized to Meet with Your Estate Planning Attorney
Preparing to meet with an estate planning attorney can feel overwhelming. Whether it's your first meeting or you're...
Beyond Assets: The Power of Ethical Wills
What do you hope to leave behind for your loved ones? Beyond the financial aspect, how do you hope your legacy will be...
Protecting Your Partner When Marriage Isn’t Part of the Plan
Not every committed relationship leads to marriage—and for many couples later in life, that's a deliberate choice....
When Courts Decide for You: Understanding Living Probate and How to Plan Ahead
While many proactive individuals understand the importance of having a comprehensive estate plan, they often assume...
What to Know Before Leaving Assets to Grandchildren and Young Beneficiaries
Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and close family friends often want to leave meaningful gifts to the next generation....
If I Leave Someone My Home, What Do They Really Get?
Your home is likely one of the most valuable assets you own, if not the most valuable. Calling it an asset can sound...
Stress Test Your Estate Plan
Creating an estate plan is a significant accomplishment. However, the work doesn't end when the documents are signed....
Probate Notes Podcast: Empowering Professionals with International Tax Knowledge with Janet Brewer
International estate and tax planning presents unique challenges that many probate professionals encounter but few...
Strategic Year-End Charitable Giving for California Families
As year-end approaches, California families with substantial assets face both an opportunity and a deadline: how to...
Understanding Spousal Inheritance Rights in California: What You Can and Cannot Control
California couples managing substantial assets often assume they have complete freedom to distribute their wealth as...
When Your Business Partnership Is Also Your Marriage: Estate Planning Strategies That Most Couples Overlook
I regularly work with entrepreneurial couples who've built thriving businesses together—tech startups, successful...
When It’s Time to Replace a Trustee: Understanding Your Legal Options
The title of trustee implies that this position should be held by someone you find trustworthy, and for good reason....
12 Estate Planning Mistakes That Could Impact Your Family’s Future
Many people believe that a simple will is all they need to accomplish their goals for the future. However, a flawed...
