What Is a Living Trust in California?
A living trust is a legal document that replaces what you think of as your will.
The living trust makes sure your assets go to the people you choose, without court involvement, delays and public probate.
It also also avoids probate or a conservatorship proceeding if you become incapacitated.
When you pass away, the person you’ve designated distributes everything inside according to your written instructions. No judge. No court. No 12-18 month waiting period.
Moreover, it allows couples to eliminate or reduce taxes. In addition, setting up a trust gives you a complete picture of your assets and compels you to get your “financial house in order” to transfer the assets into the trust.
How Staker|Johnson Can Help
As a California estate planning law firm specializing in living trusts since 1985, we’ve helped thousands of California families create comprehensive, properly funded trusts.
Our process includes:
- Clear explanation of how trusts work in plain language
- Comprehensive trust drafting tailored to your family situation
- Step-by-step guidance through trust funding
- Pour-over will and supporting documents
- Ongoing support as your life circumstances change
We make the process straightforward, affordable, and actually completed properly—not left sitting in a drawer because it’s too complex.Our firm can provide expert legal services as living trust attorneys. We are a Southern California based law firm in business since 1985. We specialize in living trusts and estate planning matters.
A living trust is not a mysterious or overly complex legal instrument—it’s simply a better way to own your assets for estate planning purposes. It provides:
- Probate avoidance – Save your family $20,000+ and 12-18 months
- Privacy protection – Keep your assets and beneficiaries out of public records
- Incapacity planning – Seamless management if you can’t handle your affairs
- Control and flexibility – You maintain complete control during lifetime
- Peace of mind – Knowing your family is protected
For most California homeowners and anyone with assets exceeding $208,850, a living trust is the foundation of a solid estate plan.
To learn more about living trusts, or if you would like a free consultation to learn if a living trust is right for you, please do not hesitate to contact us at (805) 482-2282, or e-mail us.
It is our privilege to guide clients through estate planning decisions
