Message from the Chair

Welcome to the Trusts and Estates Section!
If you’re a California attorney who isn’t yet a member, we encourage you to join and enjoy the many benefits of participation. If you’re already a member, thank you for being part of our community.
Nearly 6,000 attorneys across California belong to the Trusts and Estates Section of the California Lawyers Association (CLA). Our members span a wide range of practice areas-including estate planning, administration, conservatorships, and litigation—and represent a diversity of practice settings, from solo practitioners to large firms, in house counsel, government agencies, and nonprofits. We are proud to be a multigenerational group that includes both new and seasoned attorneys.
The Trusts and Estates Section Executive Committee (TEXCOM)
TEXCOM consists of 38 attorneys who serve six-year terms. TEXCOM works to strengthen and support the practice of trusts and estates law by:

• Keeping our members updated on trusts and estates law and current issues
• Providing the Trusts and Estates Quarterly with in-depth analysis of issues in trusts and estates
• Offering continuing legal education and live events
• Monitoring and influencing relevant legislation
• Producing the Trust Me! Podcast
  Each spring, we accept applications to join TEXCOM. Section members can also get involved by volunteering on one of TEXCOM’s subcommittees.
  TEXCOM’s Quarterly Subcommittee prepares and publishes the Trusts and Estates Quarterly, California’s premier law journal in this field. Members receive hard copies by mail and enjoy digital access via the CLA website.
  The Education Subcommittee produces monthly MCLE webinars focused on practical and timely issues, often in collaboration with other CLA sections. Members receive discounted access, and we periodically offer complimentary webinars featuring nationally recognized speakers.
  The Membership & Engagement Subcommittee produces Trust Me! Podcast with a variety of interesting topics and guests, distributes Case Alerts via email and social media and further promotes engagement by organizing presentations at California law schools to inspire the next generation of trusts and estates professionals.
  The Legislation Subcommittee reviews all bills introduced in the California Legislature to assess their impact on our field. Relevant bills are followed by members of our substantive subcommittees: Estate Planning, Trust & Estates Administration, Incapacity, and Litigation. TEXCOM provides support, opposition, or technical feedback to legislators, and reports annually on the most relevant bills in the Trusts and Estates Quarterly.
  TEXCOM sponsors and drafts legislation. Recent successes include:
• AB 565- Virtual Representation: Amended Probate Code section 15804 to allow a competent adult to represent beneficiaries who lack the legal capacity to represent themselves, provided specified conditions are met. (2025)
• SB 376: Amended Revenue and Taxation Code section 17082 to clarify that certain charitable remainder trusts are excluded from incomplete gift nongrantor trust definition. (2025):
• Uniform Directed Trust Act and Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act (2024).
  We welcome your involvement and feedback. If you’re interested in becoming more active in the Section, please reach out-we’d love to hear from you. To our current members, thank you for your continued support. And to those looking to build or expand a practice in this important area, we invite you to join us.

Judith P. Hehir
Chair, Executive Committee
Trusts and Estates Section

Contact Us

Trusts and Estates Section
California Lawyers Association
400 Capitol Mall, Suite 650
Sacramento, CA 95814
TrustsAndEstates@calawyers.org