INSIDE THIS ISSUE

TRUSTS & ESTATES QUARTERLY

IS PROBATE DYING? A LOOK AT AB 2016 AND A SURVEY OF PROBATE ADMINISTRATION STATUTES FOR CALIFORNIA PRACTITIONERS PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE
By Lisa B. Roper, Esq. and Kristen E. Caverly, Esq.
The authors discuss pending legislation to amend California Probate Code provisions related to the administration of real property and survey other states’ rules to query whether more change is on the horizon.
[PAGE 08]

COMBINING TRUSTS TO REDUCE COMPLEXITY AND COSTS CAN BE HARDER THAN YOU THINK
By Andrew M. Katzenstein, Esq. and Caroline Q. Robbins, Esq.
Under the right circumstances, combining trusts can provide numerous tax and administrative benefits. This article describes instances in which consolidating may be, and may not be, advantageous.
[PAGE 14]

CREATION, EXERCISE, AND TRANSFER TAX CONSIDERATIONS OF POWERS OF APPOINTMENT
By Matthew Perotti, Esq. and James Dunn, Esq.
When should attorneys include powers of appointment in a trust? The answer largely depends on the client’s estate planning goals, but will also involve gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax considerations. The authors discuss those considerations and provide drafting tips and strategies for powers of appointment that will optimize the client’s goals in a tax efficient manner.
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