by Crista Hermance | Oct 12, 2026 | Estate Planning, Trust, Probate, Living Trust, California
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 12, 2026 | California, Estate Planning
When a child turns 18, parents no longer automatically have the legal authority to access medical records, manage finances, or make certain decisions on their child’s behalf. Fortunately, a few simple legal documents can help families prepare for emergencies and... 
by Crista Hermance | Oct 6, 2026 | Inheritance, Living Trust, California, Estate Planning, Trust
Many beneficiaries wonder whether they can require a trustee to distribute assets immediately after a loved one’s death. In California, the answer depends on the circumstances. Trustees have legal duties that must often be completed before distributions occur.... 
by Crista Hermance | Oct 6, 2026 | Estate Planning, California, Trust administration, Living Trust, Trust
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 Crista Hermance | Sep 29, 2026 | Living Trust, California, Estate Planning
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...
