Trusts and Estates Section

In a case decided under the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act, there was substantial evidence that the appellant was presently gravely disabled and met the criteria for an involuntary medication order. Read more

In this episode, R. Sam Price and Tanis Kluever discuss how probate and trust loans secured by real property can solve liquidity problems while preserving the family home. Read more

Articles in Trusts & Estates Quarterly, Volume 31, Issue 3, 2025 Read more

Cite as E085807Filed February 5, 2026Fourth District, Div. Two By William SiasCounty of Los Angeles, Office of County Counselhttps://wsias@counsel.lacounty.gov Headnote: A determination of grave disability under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act does not support a trial court’s presumption that the person is incompetent to testify under Evidence Code section 701. Summary: Alexander Esparza was charged with kidnapping for ransom, reward, or extortion under Penal Code section 209, subd. (a). The alleged victim was his fiancée L.S., whom he subpoenaed to testify in… Read more

Headnote:  Litigation – Prevailing party entitled to fees under Welfare and Institutions Code section 15657.5(a), including fees incurred in responding to cross-petition Read more

Summary:  In LPS conservatorship proceedings, counsel may validly waive a conservatee’s jury trial right absent evidence that the conservatee was unaware of the right, that counsel acted without authority, or that the waiver contradicted the conservatee’s expressed wishes. Read more

This episode, hosted by Anna Soliman,  reviews the new petition process enacted under AB 2016 for a decedent’s primary residence valued up to  $750,000.  Read more

Summary:  A claim for intentional interference with expected inheritance (IIEI) failed where it was alleged that a trustor was prevented from executing a trust amendment with a revised distributive scheme, because the beneficiary had standing to seek relief in probate court and thus an had an adequate probate remedy. Read more

This article examines the tax-efficient strategies for leaving retirement accounts to charity, emphasizing why traditional IRAs are typically the optimal asset for charitable bequests following recent SECURE Act changes.  Read more

Intended beneficiaries of charitable trust had special interest standing to sue to enforce charitable trust.   Read more