by Crista Hermance | Oct 7, 2026 | Trust administration, Inheritance, California, Estate Planning
Many beneficiaries worry they must immediately report an inheritance to the IRS. In most cases, inherited cash, property, and investments are not treated as taxable income simply because they were inherited. However, certain situations can trigger reporting... 
by Crista Hermance | Oct 6, 2026 | Trust, Living Trust, Trust administration, California, Estate Planning
A trustee has important legal duties during trust administration, including providing certain information to beneficiaries. If a trustee is not communicating with beneficiaries, that does not automatically mean wrongdoing has occurred. However, prolonged silence,... 
by Santiago Olivares | Sep 23, 2026 | Living Trust, Trust administration, California, Estate Planning
One of the first questions many trustees ask is what documents needed for trust administration should be gathered after a loved one’s death. In California, trustees typically need the trust agreement, death certificate, asset statements, deeds, tax records,... 
by Santiago Olivares | Sep 14, 2026 | Trust, Living Trust, Trust administration, Estate Planning
Estate tax, inheritance tax, and gift tax all relate to transferring wealth, but they are not the same thing. Estate tax is paid by an estate before assets are distributed, inheritance tax is paid by certain beneficiaries in a handful of states, and gift tax may apply... 
by Santiago Olivares | Sep 14, 2026 | Trust, Probate, Living Trust, Trust administration, Estate Planning
One of the first questions families ask after a loved one’s death is, how long does trust administration take? In California, many trust administrations are completed within several months, but the exact timeline depends on the estate’s complexity,... 
by Santiago Olivares | Sep 14, 2026 | Living Trust, Homeowner, Trust, Trust administration, Estate Planning
For Malibu homeowners, estate planning involves more than deciding who inherits a home. High property values, Proposition 19 property tax considerations, trust administration, asset protection, and family dynamics can all affect what happens to a property after death....
