Estate planning, explained.
Practical guides, plain-English explanations, and everything you need to know about protecting your family.
Recent articles.
Two halves, one estate.
Wills & Living Trusts
How community property affects your living trust in California.
California is a community property state. Here is what that means for how a living trust is structured, how assets are titled, and what happens when one spouse dies.
Who takes over when you cannot?
Wills & Living Trusts
Who should be your successor trustee in California?
Your successor trustee manages and distributes your trust when you die or become incapacitated. Here is what the role involves and how to choose one.
12 to 18 months. $46,000+.
Estate Planning Basics
How long does California probate take — and what does it cost?
California probate takes 12 to 18 months on average and costs tens of thousands in statutory fees. Here is a detailed breakdown of the process, timeline, and costs.
Your home is your biggest asset.
Asset Planning
Estate planning for California homeowners — what you need to know.
Your home is likely your largest asset and the most probate-exposed thing you own. Here is what California homeowners need to know about protecting it.
What if you cannot decide?
Estate Planning Basics
Incapacity planning in California — what happens if you can't make decisions?
Most estate planning focuses on death. But incapacity affects far more people. Here is how incapacity planning works in California and what documents you need.
Catches what your trust missed.
Wills & Living Trusts
What is a pour-over will and why does every California trust need one?
A pour-over will works alongside your living trust to catch any assets left outside the trust when you die. Here is what it does and why every trust needs one.
Who acts when you cannot?
Power of Attorney
What is a durable power of attorney in California?
A durable power of attorney designates someone to manage your finances and legal matters if you become incapacitated. Here is how it works in California.
An unfunded trust protects nothing.
Asset Planning
California living trust funding checklist — step by step.
A step-by-step checklist for funding a California living trust. Real estate, bank accounts, investments, retirement, life insurance, and digital assets.
Crypto, social, email — what happens when you die?
Digital Assets
What happens to your crypto and social media accounts when you die?
Most estate plans ignore digital assets entirely. Here is what happens to your cryptocurrency, social media, and online banking when you die.
When you cannot speak, who speaks for you?
Healthcare Directives
What is a healthcare directive and why does every California adult need one?
A healthcare directive documents your medical wishes and designates someone to make decisions if you cannot. Here is how it works in California.
Without a will, the state decides.
Estate Planning Basics
What happens if you die without a will in California?
When you die without an estate plan California law decides what happens to your assets, your children, and your estate. Here is what that means.
Get estate planning guides in your inbox.
We write plain-English guides on living trusts, wills, asset planning, and everything in between. No legal jargon. No upsells. Just useful.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Explore by topic.
Living Trusts
Everything you need to know about setting up and funding a revocable living trust.
Wills & Probate
Why a will alone is not enough and what happens when there is no estate plan.
Asset Planning
How to transfer real estate, bank accounts, and investments into your trust.
Digital Assets
Crypto, online accounts, and everything your estate plan is probably missing.
Power of Attorney
Who manages your finances if you cannot — and why this document matters.
Estate Planning Basics
Start here if you are new to estate planning. Plain English, no jargon.