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California Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Probate and Estate Planning for California on
Q: If a former conservatee has been declared competent, then restates their Living Trust, can the court on it's own motion

If a former conservatee has been declared competent, then restates their Living Trust, can the court years later on it's own motion appoint a new trustee despite the Trustee's objection?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 6, 2024

Under California law, if a former conservatee has been declared competent and has restated their Living Trust, the court generally does not have the authority to appoint a new trustee on its own motion years later, especially if the current trustee objects.

Here are a few key points to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for California on
Q: Regarding sample Petition for Final Distribution (CA), section: SCHEDULE OF PURCHASES OR OTHER CHANGES IN FORM OF ASSETS

"Certain assets were disposed of or changed in form during the administration of the estate. All changes in investments are shown on Attachment ___, attached hereto and made a part hereof by reference."

There are stocks in the inventory. Per the company's request (PLEASE DO A... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 4, 2024

Under California law, establishing an estate account and transferring the stocks from the decedent's individual account to the estate account would likely be considered a change in the form of assets. This is because the ownership of the stocks has changed from the decedent to the estate, even... View More

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: 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

Julie King
Julie King
answered on May 1, 2024

There are different ways to amend a trust. One way is to prepare a document called an Amendment, which will only change certain words, sections, paragraphs, or other specific parts of the trust. The other parts of the trust that were not changed in the Amendment normally remain part of the trust.... View More

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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

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 1, 2024

Under California law, the enforceability of an amendment to a revocable trust, such as the debt amendment you mention, depends on the specifics of how the trust and subsequent amendments were executed and their contents. If your mother's later amendments to the trust did not specifically... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for California on
Q: The co trustee is stealing from the trust in New Mexico. Im having trouble getting bank statmnt/proof because law NM

New Mexico only the personal representaive can get bank stmnt

and mecical records I need to get records proof of everything. No probate filed. Quickly disposed of my fathers belonging while Im at burial

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 1, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about your difficult situation. Dealing with a dishonest co-trustee can be very challenging, especially when it involves multiple states. Here are a few steps you can consider taking:

1. Hire an experienced estate attorney: Given the complexity of your case, involving...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for California on
Q: My late husband’s brother trying to sue me to get back a boat and trailer that they had a verbal agreement to own 50/50.

We have paid 100% of the expenses for the last 10 years or more. The boat is in my name and is also included in our trust. The trailer is in his brothers name. I am willing to either give him back the trailer or pay him market value which is at best $2000 he wants it back which I would do or pay... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 30, 2024

Based on the information provided, it seems that you have a strong case to maintain ownership of the boat. Here are a few key points:

1. Verbal agreements can be legally binding in California, but they are often difficult to prove in court. The fact that the boat is in your name and...
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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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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?

Julie King
Julie King
answered on Apr 30, 2024

If you want it done correctly, have a lawyer draft and notarize the Amendment. Most trusts have a provision saying that Amendments to the Trust must be prepared using a specific type of document, certain words, and using specific procedures so the Amendment will be considered valid. If your trust... 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?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 30, 2024

While it is possible to amend a revocable trust with a notarized declaration, it is not the most advisable approach for several reasons:

1. Proper procedure: Amending a trust should follow the procedure outlined in the trust document itself. Most trusts require a formal amendment document...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate 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 and Probate 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 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?
James L. Arrasmith
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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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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?
Delaram Keshvarian
Delaram Keshvarian
answered on Apr 27, 2024

The issue has two different components: 1.Trust 2.Mortgage

1. Trust: When the title of a property is in trust, the trustee make decisions about the management of the title according to trust words. Even though, There are ways to challenge trustee or trust itself, usually beneficiaries have...
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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

James L. Arrasmith
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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

James L. Arrasmith
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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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