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Trust Administration - the Basics

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | May 22, 2023 | 0 Comments

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.

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?

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...

How to Fund Your Living Trust After it is Created

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Feb 06, 2020 | 0 Comments

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...

How to prepare for a Will or Trust Contest

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Mar 19, 2019 | 0 Comments

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"

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Sep 18, 2018 | 0 Comments

“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...

Will and Trust Provisions for your Pets

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Jul 02, 2018 | 0 Comments

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 ...

Testamentary Capacity: POLICE LINE - DO NOT CROSS

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Aug 22, 2017 | 0 Comments

The old adage, “He who waits for something good never waits too long,” does not apply in Estate Planning. The topic of testamentary capacity is a very sensitive one, and a fine line to cross. Many times an elder adult can be in good physical shape and carry on a very reasonable conversation, unti...

Who Do You Trust?

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Aug 08, 2017 | 0 Comments

“My parents set up a Trust to avoid Probate, but now that they are gone, the Trustee won't give us a copy of the Trust, and although we have asked for information about the assets, the Trustee doesn't tell us anything. It's been almost two years; our parents' home is still sitting vacant, and we ...

Transfer on Death Deed

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Dec 22, 2016 | 0 Comments

The Revocable Transfer on Death Deed: are Trusts a thing of the Past? The California legislator enacts thousands of laws each year. On January 1, 2016, Assembly Bill 139 became the law, known as the Transfer on Death Deed, which allows a property owner to name a Transfer on Death Beneficiary for ...

Pet Trusts and Pet Care Provisions

Posted by Maria N. Jonsson | Dec 22, 2016 | 0 Comments

Consider including pet care provisions in your estate plan – set aside sufficient funds to be put in carefully selected hands to take care of your service or companion animals. If you own a horse, or an animal with long life expectancy, you may need more sophisticated planning, including a stand-...

The Law Offices of Maria N. Jonsson, PC Is Here for You

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.

Contact Us Today

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.

Law Offices of Maria N. Jonsson, PC
475 Washington Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
424-383-8445

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