Trusts and Estates Section

A revocable trust is an essential part of an estate plan in California. And when clients ask why they need a revocable trust, our answer is always: to avoid probate! Read more

Join estate-planning attorney Elizabeth Bawden and trust-and-estate litigator Matt Owens for a discussion about the Corporate Transparency Act. Read more

This presentation will discuss the unique design of utilizing technology and digital tools to leverage productivity in estate planning law firms. Attendees will learn about platforms for organizing documents, case management systems, and communication tools designed for them. Read more

This webinar will discuss the California Rules of Professional Conduct (Rules) that create the most challenges for estate planning lawyers ranging from client engagement letters, competence, compensation, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, advance conflict waivers and capacity issues. Read more

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) takes effect January 1, 2024. Despite the name, it has broad implications for trusts and estates practice. Read more

Monetary sanctions were properly awarded in connection with a conservator’s motion to quash a subpoena that was overbroad, violative of the conservatee’s privacy rights, and issued for an improper purpose.   Read more

Join Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello and Estate Planning Attorney Melissa Raneri Karlsten for a conversation about elder abuse, including internet and technology scams that everyone, no matter their age, is being bombarded with on a daily basis. Read more

A stepchild may establish a right to intestate succession where the decedent receives the child into their home and openly holds out the stepchild as their natural child. Read more

In addition to a trustee or beneficiary, an interested person may have standing to respond or object in a trust proceeding. Read more

Where the trust provided the trustee with “sole discretion” to make any distribution in cash or in-kind, it was error for the probate court to interpret the trust as requiring an immediate sale of real property and distribution of the proceeds.  Read more