by Crista Hermance | Oct 12, 2026 | Estate Planning, California, Living Trust, Probate, Trust
The difference between trust administration vs probate often comes down to how assets were owned and whether a properly funded trust was in place. Probate is a court-supervised process, while trust administration typically occurs outside of court. Both involve... 
by Santiago Olivares | Sep 23, 2026 | Estate Planning, wills, Trust
Many homeowners ask,”Do I need a trust or just a will?” In California, a will alone often does not avoid probate. For many Westlake Village homeowners, a living trust, durable power of attorney, and advance healthcare directive provide greater protection,... 
by Santiago Olivares | Aug 31, 2026 | Estate Planning, Living Will, Probate
Yes, someone may be able to challenge a will in California, but simply being unhappy with an inheritance is not enough. A will contest generally involves a legal claim that the will is invalid or should not be admitted to probate. Common issues can include improper... 
by Santiago Olivares | Aug 24, 2026 | Estate Planning, California, Probate, Real Estate
If you own property in multiple states, your estate plan may have to deal with the laws of every state. For example, if you live in Ventura but own a vacation home in Arizona in your individual name, your family could potentially face a probate proceeding in both... 
by Santiago Olivares | Aug 12, 2026 | Probate, Estate Planning
California probate is often misunderstood. Many families believe that having a will automatically avoids probate, that probate only affects wealthy people, or that a surviving spouse automatically receives everything without court involvement. These are common...
