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New Way to Protect Your Home from Title Fraud

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Feb 09, 2023 | 0 Comments

Prevent Title Fraud - The Los Angeles County Assessor, in partnership with the County Recorder, just announced the ability for homeowners to REGISTER their property, and get a Fraud Notification Email within 48 hours of a document being recorded against title to their property! This is a hugely beneficial tool in the hands of homeowners to be on the lookout for Title Fraud. 

Cryptocurrency is not Currency – How do we Estate-Plan for it and avoid “Finders-Keepers”?

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Dec 07, 2022 | 0 Comments

Cryptocurrency, unlike its name suggests, is a Digital Asset – as such, the law treats it as Property, and not Currency. Crypto and NFTs are known as “bearer assets” – just like with “bearer bonds” – whoever has possession of the “asset” is the beneficial owner of it, which makes it challenging to be sure that an intended beneficiary will actually get the asset. How to avoid "Finders Keepers" when we estate-plan for Crypto and NFTs?

Young Adult Children & Estate Planning

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Sep 15, 2022 | 0 Comments

Young adults have their whole lives ahead of them, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't begin estate planning as soon as possible. When someone turns 18, they legally become an adult. Overnight, parents lose the legal authority they previously had over their children's lives. As much as this is ...

What Does Probate Cost in California?

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Aug 16, 2022 | 0 Comments

When estimating the possible cost of probate, it's important to consider court fees, attorney and executor fees, costs for required services by additional professionals (fees to publish notice, fees for accountants, appraisers, etc.), as well as the cost of bond which is generally required of the...

Do All Trusts Protect Property from Creditors?

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Jul 25, 2022 | 0 Comments

While certain types of trusts can protect assets from creditors, they don't all have this feature. This is why it's important to consider your estate planning options beyond a revocable living trust if you wish to safeguard assets for your loved ones. Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts There are ma...

7 Important Duties of a Trustee in California

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Jun 21, 2022 | 0 Comments

If you are creating a living trust, the person you select as your trustee matters a great deal. Trustees in California are tasked with many responsibilities and legal duties pertaining to the management and distribution of trust property. The decisions made by your trustee can affect you during y...

What Trustees Need to Know About the County Assessor

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Jun 20, 2022 | 0 Comments

When working with Trustees who sell trust real property, we often witness pressure by the trust beneficiaries on the Trustees to distribute all of the net sales proceeds as soon as escrow closes. It is often forgotten that, about six months after the sale, the Trustees will receive a bill from th...

FAQ: Advance Health Care Directives in California

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Apr 11, 2022 | 0 Comments

An Advance Health Care Directive, also called an Advance Directive, is an estate planning document that allows you to name another individual – your Health Care Agent – to make medical decisions for you, and allows you to document your medical care preferences in the event you are incapacitated, ...

Do I Need a Will If I Have a Trust?

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Mar 09, 2022 | 0 Comments

Even if you have a trust, it's a good idea to have a will to back it up. Estate planning is all about having a plan not just to direct what happens to you and your estate, but to account for what happens if things don't go as expected or were left unaddressed. One such critical step is funding th...

How to Find the Right Estate Planning Lawyer for You

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Feb 04, 2022 | 0 Comments

If you need an estate planning lawyer, you must find the right one for you. If you're wondering what that means, think about how personal your estate plan is to you. It protects you just as much as your loved ones, so finding the right estate planning attorney that can address your specific needs...

When Should I Start Estate Planning?

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Jan 14, 2022 | 0 Comments

Estate planning is one of the most important things that not enough people do. A survey conducted by Caring.com in 2017 found that nearly 60% of American adults said that they don't have a will or a trust. While these numbers may have elevated slightly due to the COVID-19 pandemic – which exposed...

The Benefits of Working with an Estate Planning Lawyer

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Dec 20, 2021 | 0 Comments

Most people would agree that estate planning is something they believe is important, but even some of those with that opinion don't have their own affairs in order. Despite all of the benefits estate planning can provide – chief among them: peace of mind! – not everyone who knows and understands ...

Estate Planning Tips That Can Help You Avoid Probate

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Dec 15, 2021 | 0 Comments

If estate planning is on your mind, you have likely heard of the probate process and you know it is something that is best avoided. With a carefully-crafted estate plan, it is possible to help your beneficiaries avoid this complex, expensive, and time-consuming process. Avoiding the Probate Proce...

Why It's Important to Update Your Estate Plan

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Nov 08, 2021 | 0 Comments

If you're like most people, you might have put your estate plan together and thought you wouldn't have to look at it again. If it shocks you to hear that you are wrong, we're glad – only because updating your estate plan is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your family remains...

Why You Should Have a Business Succession Plan

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Oct 18, 2021 | 0 Comments

Like any organization, a business needs its leader. If a business is a ship, a business leader turns the wheel to steer it where it needs to go. When a business owner or CEO unexpectedly dies, however, it is like a ship's wheel losing its connection to the rudder: overnight, or even in an instant...

Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Sep 22, 2021 | 0 Comments

Now more than ever, same-sex couples have the same rights as heterosexual couples, and this includes when it comes to estate planning. Just like everyone else, same-sex couples should have their affairs in order to protect the ones they love after they're gone. Here are three considerations same-...

Why Engaged Couples Should Have an Estate Plan

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Jul 30, 2021 | 0 Comments

Wedding season is here! While it's important to check off items such as a venue, the guest list, and the photographer, another item couples should check off is setting up an estate plan. Even though many believe an estate plan is only needed after you get married or if you are older, that's no...

Must-Haves for an Estate Plan

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Apr 29, 2021 | 0 Comments

Creating an estate plan doesn't need to be complicated. When considering what needs to be in your estate plan, you'll want to make sure you have important documents that explicitly state your wishes. Having an experienced lawyer can make this process much easier. If you are ready to make an estat...

Prop 19 - To Gift or Not To Gift

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Jan 05, 2021 | 0 Comments

Many of you have reached out with questions about the newly passed Proposition 19. This article attempts to shed some light but does not in any way purport to offer any conclusive authority, as the CA Assessor's Association and the CA Board of Equalization are currently hard at work to formulate ...

DAILY DOZE OF PERSPECTIVE - THE STOCKDALE PARADOX

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | May 13, 2020 | 0 Comments

In times like these, we must learn from those who have endured severe hardship, and have been able to come out stronger and wiser. We can take strength from their ability to overcome adversity. One such prominent American is James Bond Stockdale, a United States Navy vice admiral and aviator awar...

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At the Law Offices of Maria N. Jonsson, PC, we focus on Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration and we are here to listen to you and help you navigate the legal system.

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The Law Offices of Maria N. Jonsson, PC is committed to answering your questions about Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration issues in Marina Del Rey & Venice, CA. We'll gladly discuss your case with you at your convenience. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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Marina del Rey, CA 90292
424-383-8445

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