Real property is often the most complicated trust asset for trustees to manage. Trustees often want to do their best while also pleasing the beneficiaries, who are often their siblings or family members, and still follow the terms of the trust. This four-part series will discuss common scenarios in our trust administrations involving real estate. To begin this discussion, some…
Having a special needs child is a unique and often challenging journey that requires a lot of support and a comprehensive understanding of the services and resources available at each life stage. From early childhood to adolescence and adulthood, families of special needs children encounter a range of opportunities and challenges that can be better managed with the right resources.…
Imagine this scenario: your cousin, David, dies without an estate plan here in California. He had no children or further descendants. He has no living siblings, parents, grandparents, or aunts or uncles, but he does have you, his first cousin on his dad’s side. His only first cousin that you are aware of. You petition the court to open a…
In Part I of this series on taxes, we discussed federal taxes. For Part II, we will discuss state taxes. State Taxes: Income Taxes The first type of state tax that affects estate planning is individual income tax. Like federal income tax, state income tax can apply to individuals, married couples, and entities, including trusts. Income tax is a tax…