Estate Planning is the process of planning for during and after your passing. Eliminating uncertainties for you and your family during and after your life.
The Goal: Protect you and your family’s future.
The Probate Attorneys’ Role: Create a plan to safeguard and protect your assets from unforeseen circumstances ensuring the legacy can carry on for you and your family, including creation of Wills, Trusts, Business Succession Planning, Asset Protection, Wealth Preservation, Planning for Incapacity or Disability
Wealth preservation and financial privacy are significant driving factors when establishing a California estate plan. From “pour over” wills to a Revocable Living Trust (RLT), a comprehensive estate plan, when coupled with the right ancillary agreements, ensures that your family avoids probate altogether. However, it is critical to start with a strong foundation and careful administration as your family grows.
We have brought together the elite tier of California’s Probate, Trust, and Estate Planning attorneys to ensure that your first step is a step toward knowledge and security.
Many asset holders believe that the family lawyer will handle their case. This misconception often results in the “Average Cost of Correction” exceeding $1,200 for generalist corrections.
In Los Angeles and Orange County, probate cases now involve some form of trust litigation. These are not just statistics;
they are delays that freeze bequeathments for 9 to 18 months.
Legal success in California is often a matter of mastering “Local Rule” dominance. While estate planning focuses on helping your family avoid probate, the family will still need to attend probate proceedings to close the estate under the law.
Our group attorneys speak the specifics of Southern California’s courts:
Although we have attorneys across the entire state of California, here are a few examples certain code and procedures that our attorneys in these counties must understand:
While the California Probate Code is standardized, its implementation is fragmented across 58 jurisdictions. A failure to recognize these nuances is not an insignificant risk; it is a primary cause for the continuances that extend probate by months.
For many heirs, the single greatest financial benefit of an estate is the Step-Up in Basis under Internal Revenue Code § 1014. This mechanism resets the tax basis of an inherited asset to its Fair Market Value on the Date of Death, effectively wiping away decades of capital gains taxes.
Your Attorney coordinates with the court-appointed Probate Referee (who earns a statutory commission of 0.1% of the asset’s value) to ensure appraisals are accurate. An under-appraisal invites future capital gains liability; an over-appraisal invites unnecessary estate taxes. We provide the “Date of Death” market evidence required to hit the “bullseye” of valuation.
California Probate and Trust Services is a Joint Advisory Group operating in strict compliance with Business and Professions Code § 6155(h). We function as your Family Guardian, providing a single point of entry to our group of attorneys that speak the language of all the many nuances of Probate, Trust Creation and Administration and Estate Planning each best suited for your family’s needs.
You do not have to take chances on your family’s future. Align with a partner who understands that the cost of delay is significant.
A pervasive issue in California estates is the “Liquidity Trap.” Under California Probate Code § 10810, legal fees and executor compensation are tied to the gross value of the estate, but funds are typically unavailable until the very end of the process.
This situation could leave your family in a financial bind to assist in through the probate or Trust administrative process. You have an asset (often a home) that requires clean out, security, or repair, but you have no liquid cash to fund it. We have many solutions for the many issues that may arise.
California Probate and Trust Services also works with your attorney offering a proprietary Advance-and-Reimbursement program to get the estate the funds it needs to prepare any real estate to sell.
We can fund the following services out of these resources with reimbursement occurring through the closing of escrow:
Removal of hoarding/debris to allow access for the Probate Referee.
We know the value of your loved ones assets and want to insure honor their legacy by getting the highest value for all their assets, not just the real estate.
Re-keying and securing vacant properties to satisfy insurance requirements.
Providing “Cash for Keys” funds to resolve squatter situations without the delay of eviction court.
Note: These services are ancillary. They are designed to unblock the legal process so your attorney can reach the Order for Final Distribution. These funds are reimbursed from the estate proceeds at the close of escrow. You do not pay out of pocket.
Learn how California Probate and Trust can assist you. Request a free consultation by completing this form with details about your probate matter. A member of our team will contact you within 15 minutes. We look forward to speaking with you.
You can reach us the most suitable way for you by any of the following ways:
For urgent matters—specifically those involving recent deaths or pending court dates—voice communication is the fastest way to reach us.
Call Us Directly: 951-289-0747
For urgent matters—specifically those involving recent deaths or pending court dates. Our Text is replied instantly by a real human, not A.I. or Chat bot.
Text Directly: 951-289-0747
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM PST
Use our secure, encrypted chat interface to speak with a LIVE (not A.I.) advisor. Ideal for initial inquiries regarding jurisdiction (Riverside vs. San Diego vs. LA) or specific asset complexities.
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If you would like to reach us to set up a time for us to call, feel free to complete our Contact Us Form on our site. We will follow your instructions and contact you when you request.
Or use the form to send us more detailed information about your needs so we can review before we talk.
The difference between a burden and a legacy is expertise and experience.You should not have to interpret the Probate Code alone.You should not have to guess which attorney has the expertise to handle your unique case.You should not need to create more stress over your loved ones passing. It is already emotional enough.
Stop Guessing. Start Protecting.
The Interview is decisive. The Match is precise. The Consultation is confidential.
Contact California Probate and Trust Services.
The Interview is decisive. The Match is precise. The Consultation is confidential.