Do you need a living trust in California?
A living trust avoids probate, keeps your estate private, and transfers assets without court involvement. Understanding whether you need one is a decision you can work through before speaking with an attorney.
What you'll learn
- California's probate threshold and why it matters for your estate
- Which asset types pass outside of probate without a trust
- When a will alone is enough and when a trust adds real value
- Questions to bring to your first estate planning consultation
Step by step
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Keep learning.
Living trust vs will in California
A will and a living trust are not interchangeable. They handle your estate differently, go through different processes after death, and cost different amounts to set up. Here is how to compare them clearly.
How to avoid probate in California
California probate is expensive, slow, and public. The good news is that most estates can be structured to avoid it entirely with the right documents and account designations. Here is how it works.
What a trustee does in California
If someone has named you as a trustee or successor trustee, you have taken on a legal role with specific duties. Understanding those duties before you need to act makes a difficult time easier.