by Crista Hermance | Oct 12, 2026 | Trust, Probate, Living Trust, California, Estate Planning
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 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 | Sep 29, 2026 | California, Estate Planning, Trust
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool for learning about estate planning, organizing information, and preparing for conversations with an attorney. However, AI cannot replace personalized legal advice or ensure that estate planning documents comply with... 
by Crista Hermance | Sep 29, 2026 | Estate Planning, California, Living Trust
The most common estate planning mistakes include waiting too long to create a plan, relying solely on a will, failing to update beneficiary designations, forgetting to fund a trust, and neglecting incapacity planning. For many Oxnard families, these oversights can... 
by Crista Hermance | Sep 23, 2026 | Trust, Inheritance, Probate, California, Estate Planning
It is possible to refuse an inheritance in California. The legal process is known as a disclaimer. By properly disclaiming an inheritance, a beneficiary can decline property, money, or other assets they would otherwise receive. However, specific legal rules apply, and...
