The Los Angeles County Assessor has launched a very helpful tool for estimating the amount of Supplemental Property Taxes which are levied when there is a change in ownership – including when property is inherited via Trust or Probate, or when it is sold. Learn more about this important liability for Trustees, Executors, Estate Administrators and homeowners.
The IRS made history by announcing the HIGHEST EVER applicable Estate and Gift Tax Exclusions for US Citizens for tax year 2024 – they are increased to $13,610,000.00 per person, or $27,220,000.00 for a married couple.
Because the topic of death and dying is so morbid and stressful to contemplate, some folks tend to procrastinate preparing a Power of Attorney, a Health Directive, a Will and/or a Living Trust until much later in life, and sometimes, until they delay until last minute or only after experiencing a...
A pour-over will is a type of will which provides that any assets or property owned by the testator at their death that was not titled in the testator's living Trust, will transfer (or pour over) into the trust, and will pass as per the terms of the trust. A pour-over will works in conjunction with a living trust and names the trust as the sole beneficiary of the will.
Your estate plan in California can include several documents, many of which may require beneficiaries, like any trusts you may have set up and non-probate assets like 401(k), IRA accounts, life insurance policies, and pensions. Assets from these accounts will go to the beneficiaries upon your death. It is important, therefore, to make sure you choose your beneficiaries carefully.
Despite popular belief, Estate Planning is not a one-and-done project. To be truly effective, your estate planning documents should reflect your changing circumstances which needs your attention on an ongoing basis.
Even in the most “simple” circumstances, a California Probate takes a bit over a year from start to finish. For that reason, finding the right probate attorney can make a world of difference with how efficiently the case can be handled. Here are some things to look for when hiring a Probate attorney.
A pour-over will is a type of will stating that any assets or property owned by the Settlor of a living trust that were omitted from the Trust at their death will transfer (or, pour over) into the trust after death. In this way, the pour-over will serves as a safety net for any assets not formally transferred into a living trust during the Trust Settlor's life.
Knowing the basics of trust administration is important when you are named as a Trustee or a beneficiary of a Trust, and the trust creator's assets are titled in their trust, or if there are assets left outside of the trust. Not knowing or understanding your Trustee duties, or Beneficiary entitlements can lead to many challenges and liabilities, and can lead to the intended beneficiaries not getting their share in the trust for months, or, sometimes, years, after the death of the trust creator.
On February 28, 2023, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced that the annual change in the House Price Index for California for 2022 was $2.26%. As a result, the $1 million amount "reassessment exclusion" from property taxes under Proposition 19, is now adjusted to $1,022,600. This amount will be adjusted again on February 15, 2025.
Homeowners can now designate a third party - a family member or trusted friend, to receive a copy of past due notices for unpaid property taxes, so as to prevent such homeowners from losing their home to an unintended foreclosure for non-payment of property taxes,
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?
2023 Estate Tax Exemptions, Annual Gift Tax Exclusions, and Portability
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...
If you are buying a home and are wondering what the role of title insurance is, this article is for you. Title insurance policies protect buyers, real estate owners or lenders against any loss or damage they might experience because of liens, encumbrances, or defects that show up in the chain of ...
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...
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...
You've created your living Trust – now what? Establishing your Trust is only the first step in ensuring that your property will go to your desired beneficiaries outside of Probate court. The next step is the most critical one - “funding” your trust - whereby you change title to your property into...
It is a common misconception that ANY assets less than $150,000 in value are not subject to Probate. Although that IS true for personal property (accounts, cars, personal items, etc.), this is NOT true for real property. Real property - no matter its value – always goes through Probate Court when...
Legally everyone is entitled to leave their estate to anyone they want. This means that they can exclude (or “omit”) anyone they want from receiving any distributions under a Will or a Trust. Often there is already an expectation that such individuals will feel wronged and will contest the will o...
“I only need a simple Trust” is a request I hear often. However, this “self-diagnosis” may not always be the right one. A “simple” probate avoidance trust may or may not be the best fit for each family dynamic. There are two main factors which dictate the complexity of the trust terms: (1) the ty...
Pet Hospice is becoming a preferred choice of saying “goodbye” to a beloved companion animal. It is more humane for the animal because it focuses on the relief of the end-of-life suffering, and the pet's comfort. It is infinitely more humane for the pet-owner, for whom this is such a painful and ...
It is common knowledge that if one dies without any estate planning (will or trust), their heirs would be able to inherit outright if they are over the age of majority – age 18. But, most agree that 18-year-olds may not be fully capable of managing financial assets and/or real estate. Placing a T...
Your (Testamentary) Word is As Good As the Paper It's Written On A great rule of thumb in estate planning is to document your wishes, so they actually occur when you are gone. While the law definitely does not support “oral promises” when it comes to real estate, the same could be valid for tangi...
Attorney Maria N. Jonsson, Esq. is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. The Law Offices of Maria N. Jonsson, PC is committed to providing a comprehensive and holistic analysis of your specific circumstances as they relate to Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration issues in California. Schedule a one-on-one discussion of your case with Attorney Jonsson directly.