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Trust vs. Probate

Discuss Your Options with Our Los Angeles Legal Team

If a loved one has passed away and the Estate needs to go through Probate, our Los Angeles legal team at the Law Offices of Maria N. Jonsson, PC stands at the ready to help you navigate this complex court process.

If you are simply planning, however, your decisions today may determine whether your Estate will go through Probate upon your death or not. If you place all your assets into a Living Trust, Probate is generally fully avoided (provided that during your life you transferred your property into your Trust).

Trust Administration is:

  • Much less costly;
  • Much faster to complete
  • Is a completely private process that stays out of the court room.

If you own real property in other States, a Trust will centralize the administration process and make it simpler and less expensive to administer your real properties anywhere in the United States. Without a Trust, each real property would need to go through Probate in the corresponding County or State where the property is located. This is why it is critical to transfer into your Living Trust any property that you own anywhere in the United States.

In addition to helping your family avoid Probate, a Living Trust can manage your assets in the event of your illness, disability, or incapacity.

To discuss your options with an experienced Trust and Estate attorney, reach out to our firm by contacting us online or calling (310) 935-0706 today.

Infographic explaining the pros & cons of how your estate passes through a trust vs. probate

Finding the Right Legal Solution for Your Estate

In some instances where the property is below a certain threshold, a Probate will not be needed. Other assets pass without Probate by operation of law – such as life insurance policies, jointly held accounts, or assets with a designated “pay on death” Beneficiary.

Learn more about non-Probate transfers here.

Developing a thorough and effective Estate plan requires in-depth knowledge of your options, the applicable California Probate laws, property tax laws, and other legal and practical considerations. At the Law Offices of Maria N. Jonsson, PC we conduct a personalized assessment of your assets, your Beneficiaries, the family dynamic, and other relevant factors before recommending a strategy that will save you and your loved ones the most time and money. Ultimately, the ease with which your Beneficiaries receive your property upon death will depend on the complexity of your Estate Plan. Retaining legal counsel to guide you with setting up a comprehensive Estate Plan will make a world of difference for your family and heirs, will anticipate and avoid conflicts, and will protect your beneficiaries from creditors and predators.

Call (310) 935-0706 or contact us online to schedule your consultation. Our firm has a personal commitment to providing high-quality services at competitive rates.

  • Mediator by Training & Peacemaker by Heart

    We believe that an Estate Plan should leave behind not only property, but most importantly – harmony, rather than tear families apart with poorly drafted or ambiguous and confusing terms.

  • We Work as Part of a Larger Team

    We work with our clients' financial planner, CPA, realtor, and insurance broker to implement a well-rounded and thorough legal plan for wealth preservation and inheritance transfer.

  • Strategic Planning & Attention to Detail

    We carefully look at each factor that affects the execution of an Estate Plan – from the perspective of minimizing and eliminating reassessment of property taxes to avoiding post-death conflicts.

Get in Touch

If you're looking for high-quality Estate Planning and Probate services, we're the team for you. Reach out to us today to discuss your options.

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