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California Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for California on
Q: Can a debt amendment to a revocable trust be enforced if the trust is amended later ignoring the debt amendment?

My mother issued an attached amendment to her trust for a debt she owes me to be paid after her death from the house owned by her trust. She has since signed the same trust with a different date than the original trust (amendment is to original dated trust) and she has amended her trust again... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 2, 2024

In California, the enforceability of a debt amendment to a revocable trust that is later amended without including the debt amendment can be a complex legal issue. Here are some points to consider:

1. Revocability: If the trust is revocable, the grantor (your mother) generally has the right...
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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for California on
Q: Can a debt amendment to a revocable trust be enforced if the trust is amended later ignoring the debt amendment?

My mother issued an amendment to her trust for a debt she owes me to be paid after her death from the house owned by her trust. She has since signed the same trust with a different date than the original trust (amendment is to original dated trust) and she has amended her trust again without the... View More

Karn Thapar
Karn Thapar
answered on May 1, 2024

An amendment to a trust that follows proper formalities, including reference to original date, is generally enforceable. The inclusion of a notary stamp lends further credence to the enforceability of the amendment. From what you have described, it seems that the debt amendment has been amended... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for California on
Q: We (husband and I) want to change the executor on our revocable trust before traveling soon.

I don't have time to make other needed updates to the trust, but the appointment of a new executor is really important. Can my husband and I write up a declaration about it and have it notarized? Would that hold up?

Karn Thapar
Karn Thapar
answered on Apr 30, 2024

Changes to living trusts are generally notarized, so assuming that you have drafted the amendment/declaration correctly, it should hold up. However, there are other documents that have executors and also power of attorney, and it would be advisable to have it done correctly. You mentioned it was... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for California on
Q: Q: I just discovered my father passed away and his estate was dispersed can I make a claim for his estates

Is there a time limit?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 29, 2024

In California, there is a time limit for filing a claim against an estate after the estate has been dispersed. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations.

According to California Probate Code Section 16460, if you were not properly notified of the administration of your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for California on
Q: I just discovered my father passed away and his estate was dispersed can I make a claim for his estates
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 29, 2024

Under California law, if you were not notified of your father's death and the distribution of his estate, you may have the right to make a claim depending on the circumstances. Here are a few key points to consider:

1. Statute of limitations: In California, the statute of limitations...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: removing a trustee

In los angeles county how long and how much is a typical cost, if one exists, to remove and surcharge a trustee assuming they don't try to fight it? Is there a schedule of charges for court fees posted somewhere?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 24, 2024

In Los Angeles County, the process of removing and surcharging a trustee can vary in terms of time and cost, depending on the specific circumstances of the case.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for California on
Q: old 1998 trust discovered a year ago but new lawyer made new trust 2014. my lawyer is contesting new one. negligence?

my lawyer emailed me a copy of the 1998 trust in March 2023, but I never saw it. But at the time, he told me it was too late to do anything about it anyway (past the deadline to file) since my father passed away over a year earlier in Feb 2022. But now, he is suggesting we can petition the court... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 24, 2024

Based on the information you've provided, it seems that your lawyer may have been negligent in not properly addressing the 1998 trust when it was first discovered, especially if it would have been possible to challenge the 2014 trust at that time. However, whether this constitutes legal... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Hi. I have a friend who was previously deemed incapacitated but is now able to inherit the sums as afforded her by trust

In the docs, she's mentioned as co-trustee and is at least be given $50k while her brother has purchased a yacht, Corvette and has taken funds to establish a new trust called the MORGAN LONG FAMILY TRUST! The trust amount is over $10mm

Karn Thapar
Karn Thapar
answered on Apr 22, 2024

It sounds like your friend's situation is quite complex. If your friend was previously deemed incapacitated but is now able to inherit from a trust, it suggests that there have been significant legal and perhaps medical changes in her circumstances.

It's good to hear that...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: My dad died in 1979 and his wife tried to steal estate she died 3 yrs later but hired lawyer they hid trust

I cant find my dad's estate house, trust and alot of mineral rights but can't afford lawyer how can I find them I'm representative of estate only child only heir but she hid in her aka names

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 19, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties you're facing regarding your father's estate. Here are some steps you can take to try to locate the assets without hiring a lawyer:

1. Check county records: Visit the county recorder's office where your father's properties...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Landlord - Tenant and Estate Planning for California on
Q: If a house title is in a trust fund, can the family continue to pay the mortgage without transferring the deed?
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answered on Apr 18, 2024

Under California law, if a house title is held in a trust, the trust itself is considered the legal owner of the property. The trustee, who is responsible for managing the trust assets, has the authority to make decisions regarding the property, including paying the mortgage.

In this...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for California on
Q: What is the Dead Man's Statute?

My father passed away, his wife refused to give his children his estate documents. I filed a petition with the court and her response stated - "I am aware that; I and my husband, prepared a Revocable Living Trust on or about July 11, 2023. Shortly after creating the Trust, my husband,... View More

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answered on Apr 17, 2024

In California, the Dead Man's Statute, also known as the Evidence Code Section 1261, limits the admissibility of statements made by a deceased person in certain legal proceedings. The statute is designed to protect the estate of a deceased person from fraudulent claims.

Under the Dead...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Banking and Probate for California on
Q: Completing a small business affidavit. What are the chances of it working?

Deceased died in 2021. At death his business bank account had 180,000. No other property. A few weeks prior, he told girl friend to pay debts to 2 people totaling 46,000. One is a court order of $36,000, the other is a loan repayment. She didn't do it before he died. His children want to... View More

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answered on Apr 15, 2024

Based on the information provided, it seems the deceased's estate might qualify for the small estate affidavit procedure in California, as the total value of the estate appears to be under the $184,500 limit (as of 2023). However, there are a few potential issues to consider:

1....
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for California on
Q: is it best to make a co-trustee for deeded valuable timeshare or put title under family trust
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 13, 2024

Under California law, the best approach for handling a valuable timeshare depends on your specific circumstances and goals. Here are some considerations for each option:

1. Adding a co-trustee to the timeshare deed:

- Allows for joint management and decision-making regarding the...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Help!! Homeless locked out of inherited house co-owned with estate exec.who never did title change, no partition fille

Sister wants to sell never transferred title so neither own it...she kept all documents... want to buy her out court had granted stay but she got it vacated lying to Court that i paid for nothing. Can I get vacate reconsidered? Like to live in home and reach agreement to buy her out.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about your difficult situation. Here are a few key points and suggestions based on California law:

1. Title transfer: If the property was inherited and never properly transferred into your and your sister's names, the estate executor should have initiated a...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Personal Injury and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: My Father was narcissistic. How do I get my house back

Panic attacks,social anxiety claimed disabled dependent. He told me to stay in the house so nobody could see my face. 1999 they had a irrevoocicable life insurance trust Second to die policy made. The house I lived in over 30 years was given to me. My dad remarried after her death.New wife was... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 10, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear about your distressing situation and all the hardships you've endured. Being forcibly removed from your home after enduring abuse must have been traumatic. Living out of your vehicle while dealing with mental health struggles sounds incredibly difficult.

Given...
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Q: Who could I contact regarding some people who have done fraud to steal a person legacy

My friend who passed away had a Patton and trademark that some people have made up fake marriage and other recorded doc to steal his legacy?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 4, 2024

In California, if you suspect fraudulent activities concerning a person's legacy, including patents and trademarks, it's crucial to address the matter with urgency due to the potential legal implications and the risk of significant financial loss. You can reach out to an intellectual... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for California on
Q: When filling out reassessment exclusion for parent/ child who would the seller/transferor be?

House was inherited from my mothers trust. I am trustee and beneficiary. Not sure if transferor should be my mother, the trust, or myself as trustee.

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answered on Apr 4, 2024

Under California property tax law, the parent-child exclusion allows the transfer of a primary residence (and up to $1 million of assessed value of other real property) between parents and children without triggering a reassessment of the property value for property tax purposes.

In your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for California on
Q: Is it illegal to hold back my signature to sell property held in a trust for reasons other than I disagree w/the terms?

I am a beneficiary in my grandparents trust, and it states that all beneficiaries must agree upon the sale of real property before it can be sold. My brother, who is also a beneficiary and a trustee, basically snaked half of my inheritance. I didn't have the money to contest anything or try to... View More

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answered on Mar 31, 2024

Under California law, as a beneficiary of a trust, you generally have the right to review and approve the terms of any sale of trust property. If the trust agreement requires all beneficiaries to agree to the sale of real property, you are not obligated to sign off on the sale unless you agree with... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Where can I find HUD approved language for a Living Trust to protect the lender and the HUD insured Reverse Mortgage?

Where can I find HUD approved language for a Living Trust to protect the lender and the HUD insured Reverse Mortgage? I believe this language is in a sample/template/boilerplate somewhere because the protection will be the virtually the same in every case. I would like to draft my Living Trust... View More

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answered on Mar 29, 2024

Finding HUD approved language for incorporating into a Living Trust, especially to protect both the lender and the HUD insured Reverse Mortgage, can be a focused task. Generally, such language is detailed in HUD's guidelines or provided by legal resources familiar with real estate and elder... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Elder Law and Probate for California on
Q: CA is a will needed? What will happen without a will? no family, artist, writer.

Will a letter of intent work for personal items, manuscript, etc instead of a will? Would a make your own will work, what form/doc is needed? Or does one need to go through a do your own legal office? Price? OR make some kind of real, more expensive will. IS lawyer needed? Due to no family what... View More

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answered on Mar 26, 2024

In California, if you pass away without a will (intestate), your assets are distributed according to state laws, which typically means your closest relatives will inherit. However, if you have no family, your estate may escheat, or revert, to the state. Personal items, manuscripts, and artworks... View More

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