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Since 1985, We’ve Carefully drafted thousands of revocable living trusts for clients throughout Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and across California.
California living trusts are our foundation. our expertise extends to trust administration, probate and conservatorships, business law and formations (including 501(c)(3) nonprofits), special needs trusts, guardianships, Medi-Cal planning for long-term care, comprehensive estate tax planning, charitable remainder trusts, family limited partnerships, and life insurance trusts.
Who We Serve
- Growing Families
- Established Professionals
- Retirees & Seniors
- Blended Families
- California Homeowners
- Real Estate Investors
California Living Trust Law Firm - Get Started
Nearly 40 Years Creating California Living Trusts
Our firm’s principal attorney, Kevin Staker, is one of only a handful of attorneys in California who holds dual certifications from the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization—both as a Certified Specialist in Taxation Law and Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. He earned his LL.M. in Taxation from NYU School of Law and maintains an “AV” (highest) peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Partner of the firm Brandon Johnson is also a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Brandon has a background in business law. When you need a California living trust attorney with proven expertise in complex tax issues, Medi-Cal planning, and sophisticated estate planning strategies, our firm can help.
Based in Camarillo, we serve clients throughout California—from Half Moon Bay, to Santa Barbara, to Malibu, to sunny San Diego. We understand California estate planning law can impact your family’s legacy. We believe California homeowners need living trusts to protect their property from probate. Whether you own property in an affluent area like Ventura County, have investment real estate throughout California, or vacation homes in other states, we structure your living trust to protect all your assets.
Read more below to learn about detailed FAQs and information about Living Trusts in California.
Schedule a consultation today and we’ll answer any other questions you have about revocable living trusts and more.
How We Draft Living Trusts
Creating a living trust is an essential step in ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes.
At Staker|Johnson, we can guide you through each step of this process, ensuring that your estate plan meets both your goals and California’s legal requirements. Let us help you establish a clear, legally sound trust to protect your family’s future.
Choose the Type of Trust
For most Californians, a revocable living trust is the preferred option. It provides flexibility and control, allowing you to manage your assets and make updates as your life and circumstances change. You can also modify or dissolve the trust entirely if needed, making it the most common type of trust we create for our clients.
Define the Terms of Your Trust
We help you define the terms of your trust to clearly outline how your assets will be managed during your lifetime and distributed after your passing. These provisions ensure that your wishes are carried out exactly as intended.
Our attorneys guide you through each decision, from choosing who will manage your trust to setting detailed instructions for how your estate should be handled. The goal is to create a structure that provides clarity, control, and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Select a Trustee
A trustee is the individual responsible for overseeing your trust. You can appoint yourself as the trustee, but it is important to also name a successor trustee. This person will step in to manage the trust if you become incapacitated or upon your passing. The successor trustee should be someone you trust to act in your best interests.
Designate beneficiaries
Beneficiaries are the individuals or entities that will inherit your assets upon your death. These can be family members, friends, or charitable organizations that are important to you. It is crucial to clearly define who will receive what, as well as any special instructions for distribution.
Prepare Your Trust Documents
Once you have made the key decisions, it’s time to formalize them into your trust documents. While you can create these documents on your own through online services such as FreeWill, consulting with an estate attorney ensures that your trust complies with California law and accurately reflects your intentions.
Execute Your Trust Documents
For your trust to be legally binding, it must be executed in compliance with California law. This typically involves signing the trust documents in front of witnesses or having them notarized to ensure they are valid.
Fund your trust
After your trust is created, you must transfer your assets into it. For an asset to be covered by the trust, ownership must be transferred to it. These assets are re-titled to reflect ownership by the trust. A wide range of assets can be placed in a living trust, including real estate, financial accounts, and personal items such as jewelry, art, and business interests.
Examples of financial assets that can be added include:
- Stocks, bonds, and safe deposit boxes
- Mutual funds and brokerage accounts
- Certificates of deposit and money market accounts
- Checking and savings accounts, along with cash Debts owed to the grantor
- Life insurance policies
- Non-qualified annuities
Without this step, the trust will not be able to protect or manage your assets. Funding the trust involves changing the title of your properties, bank accounts, and other assets into the name of the trust.
Consider a Pour-Over Will
Even if you establish a trust, it’s still advisable to have a pour-over will. A pour-over will allows you to designate guardians for minor children and make provisions for any pets. It also ensures that any assets not transferred to the trust during your lifetime will be “poured over” into the trust upon your death. Be aware, however, that these assets will need to go through probate before they are fully transferred to the trust.
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California Living Trust Terminology
Unlike a will, a properly funded living trust allows your estate to bypass California’s probate process entirely. A living trust is a legal document that holds ownership of your assets during your lifetime and directs how they’ll be distributed after you pass away.
Here are a list of common terms that you may encounter while working with an estate planning attorney on your living trust:
Grantor/Settlor/Trustmaker
The grantor is the person creating the trust and placing assets into it. With a revocable living trust, the grantor maintains complete control during their lifetime.
Trustee
The person managing the trust assets. Initially, you serve as your own trustee. You’ll also name a successor trustee to step in if you become incapacitated or pass away—this person handles asset distribution and trust administration.
Our attorneys guide you through each decision, from choosing who will manage your trust to setting detailed instructions for how your estate should be handled. The goal is to create a structure that provides clarity, control, and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Beneficiaries
The people or organizations who receive your assets. Primary beneficiaries typically receive assets after you pass, while contingent beneficiaries are backups if primary beneficiaries predecease you.
Guardian
For minor children, the person you designate to raise them if you cannot. This is named in your will, not your trust.
Executor/Personal Representative
Named in your pour-over will, this person handles any assets that weren’t transferred into your trust and ensures they flow into the trust after your passing.
Agent under Power of Attorney
The person authorized to make financial decisions on your behalf if you’re incapacitated but still living. This is separate from your successor trustee role.
We guide clients across California through creating, funding, and maintaining living trusts that reflect their exact wishes.
Common Questions About California Living Trusts
At Staker|Johnson Law Corporation, we’re honored to assist with your estate planning.
Where is your office located?
At Staker|Johnson, our California estate planning law office based in beautiful Ventura County, CA has been helping families throughout the state secure their legacies for over 35 years.
How long is a living trust valid in California?
A living trust in California is valid and effective throughout the grantor’s lifetime, and it can be amended or revoked at any time as long as the grantor is alive and has mental capacity. After the grantor’s death, the trust becomes irrevocable, and its validity and purpose are to be fulfilled, but it is also subject to state laws that require it to be terminated within a certain period after creation.
During the grantor’s lifetime – Perpetually valid: A revocable living trust remains active and valid indefinitely until the grantor changes or revokes it.
Full control: The grantor, who is typically also the trustee and beneficiary, retains full control over the assets in the trust and can add, remove, or sell them.
Amendable: The grantor can amend or completely revoke the trust at any time as circumstances change.
After the grantor’s death – Becomes irrevocable: The trust automatically becomes irrevocable upon the grantor’s death.
Not a fixed duration: Unlike the lifetime of the grantor, there is no specific expiration date for the trust document itself. However, California law has a rule against perpetuities, which sets a maximum limit on how long a trust can last.
Termination timeline: A trust must be terminated and its assets distributed within a certain timeframe, generally 90 years after creation or no later than 21 years after the death of the last beneficiary, but most trusts are administered and closed much sooner.
Trust administration: The time it takes to administer the trust after the grantor’s death can vary. Simple trusts might be closed in a few months, while more complex ones involving multiple assets or beneficiaries could take a year or two.
Can everything be done remotely?
Yes. Many of our clients complete the entire process virtually—from initial consultation through document review. We use secure video conferencing and electronic document sharing. For the signing appointment, we can arrange for a mobile notary to meet you at your location, or you can come to our office if you prefer.
What's the difference between a will and a living trust
We have a detailed guide about this topic linked here. In short, a will goes through probate—a court-supervised process in California that typically takes 12-18 months and costs 4-6% of your estate value in fees. Your assets are frozen during this time, and the process is public record. A living trust avoids probate entirely. Your successor trustee can distribute assets within weeks, privately, without court involvement. For California homeowners, this difference is significant given our high property values.
Who actually needs a living trust in California?
If you own real estate in California, a living trust almost always makes sense. Probate costs are calculated as a percentage of your gross estate value…not equity!. So even if you have a mortgage, you’re paying probate fees on the full property value. You should also consider a trust if you have minor children, own property in multiple states, want privacy, have a blended family, or want to plan for potential incapacity.
I'm relatively young and healthy. Can't this wait?
Incapacity planning with a living trust is just as important as death planning. Without powers of attorney and a trust, your family would need a court ordered conservatorship to manage your affairs if you’re incapacitated. This is a stressful, expensive, time-consuming, and public process. Plus, California homeowners build equity quickly. The protection is valuable at any age, and peace of mind is valuable.
Why do so many California homeowners procrastinate or skip estate planning?
It’s hard for us to answer with certainty. Some individuals may wrongly assume that estate planning is only for the wealthy or elderly. In our professional experience in over 30 years of estate planning work is that if you own a California home, you likely have an estate valuable enough to benefit significantly from a trust. Many homeowners simply don’t realize that their $800,000 home will cost their family $30,000-50,000 and over a year in probate court without proper planning. Others keep meaning to do it but never prioritize it—until it’s too late.
What happens if I do nothing?
Without an estate plan, California’s intestate succession laws decide who gets what. Your assets go through probate regardless. If you have minor children and no named guardian, a judge decides who raises them. If you become incapacitated, your family goes to court for conservatorship. The state has a plan for you—it’s just probably not the plan you’d want.
Do I need to update my trust after I create it?
Life changes require trust updates: marriage, divorce, birth of children or grandchildren, death of a beneficiary or trustee, significant changes in assets, moving to a new state, or changes in tax laws. We’re ready to provide ongoing support to keep your plan details current.
What if I own property in another state?
A California living trust can hold out-of-state property, helping you avoid probate in multiple states. This is especially valuable if you own vacation property or investment real estate elsewhere.
How long does the process really take?
From initial consultation to fully executed and funded trust: typically 2-4 weeks. The timeline depends on how quickly we collect information and approve drafts. The trust funding process often takes the longest, as it involves working with banks, title companies, institutions, and other financial professionals.
How does a living trust avoid probate in California?
When you create a living trust, your assets such as your home, bank accounts, or investments are retitled in the name of the trust. Because the trust becomes the legal owner, the court doesn’t need to oversee their transfer when you pass away. Your successor trustee can distribute assets directly, following your instructions, without court intervention.
Is a living trust only for wealthy families?
Not at all. In California, even modest estates can face significant probate costs and delays. With high home values across the state, nearly all middle-class homeowners benefit from a living trust. It’s a practical tool for nearly anyone who owns real property or wants to keep their estate private and simple for their family or beneficiaries.
What happens if I die without a will or trust in California?
If you pass away without an estate plan called dying “intestate”. In this scenario, the state law determines who inherits your assets. The process is handled by the probate court and may not reflect your wishes. Your loved ones could wait months or years for resolution and pay thousands in legal and court fees.
What’s the difference between a revocable and irrevocable trust?
A revocable trust (the most common type) can be changed or revoked at any time during your life. It provides flexibility while avoiding probate.
An irrevocable trust cannot be changed once created but offers specific tax and asset-protection advantages. Most Californians start with a revocable living trust as the foundation of their estate plan.
Protect Your Family’s Future With a California Living Trust
Whether you’re just starting your estate plan or updating an outdated will, Staker|Johnson Law Corporation provides clear guidance and complete trust administration services throughout California. Our attorneys help you avoid probate, reduce legal costs, and ensure your estate is handled according to your wishes.
What are the benefits of a living trust in California?
For California homeowners, the question isn’t whether you need estate planning—it’s whether you want your family to spend 18 months and tens of thousands of dollars in probate court, or handle everything privately within weeks.
Here are a list of easy to identify benefits of a well drafted living trust in California:
Avoid Probate
Your family receives assets in weeks instead of waiting 12-18 months in court. They save thousands in probate fees and attorney costs.
Maintain Privacy
Probate is public record in California. This means anyone can see what you owned and who inherited it. A trust keeps your family’s financial affairs private.
Our attorneys guide you through each decision, from choosing who will manage your trust to setting detailed instructions for how your estate should be handled. The goal is to create a structure that provides clarity, control, and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Plan for Incapacity
If you become unable to manage your affairs, your successor trustee steps in immediately. No court-ordered conservatorship needed.
Control Distribution
You decide exactly when and how beneficiaries receive assets. Protect a child’s inheritance from divorce, creditors, or poor financial decisions.
Protect Blended Families
Ensure your current spouse is cared for while guaranteeing your children from a prior marriage receive their inheritance.
Simplify Real Estate Legacy Planning
One California trust can hold property in multiple states, avoiding probate in each location.
Healthcare Agent
Named in your advance healthcare directive, this person makes medical decisions for you if you cannot communicate your wishes.
For most California homeowners, a well drafted living trust is the best way to make sure your property transfers smoothly to your loved ones—without the cost, delay, or uncertainty of probate. This work has been our firm’s expertise for nearly four decades.
Even among those Californians who do prepare for their passing, many only have a basic will. For a lot of California homeowners, that’s not ideal. If you’re looking for more information about comparing a will vs a living trust in California, read more here.
The primary reason why we believe a living trust is crucial for homeowners in California is that the average home value in California is well above the state’s small estate limit, which means a will alone often leads to probate. Probate is slow, public, and expensive, and it can easily take months before anything is settled.
We guide clients across California through creating, funding, and maintaining living trusts that reflect their exact wishes.
Get started today by contacting our office.
You’ll speak with an expert who will learn about your family situation, assets, and goals. This helps determine whether a living trust, will, or other estate planning tools best fit your needs. Not everyone needs a trust, and we’ll be honest about what makes sense for you.
Ready to protect your California home and assets with a living trust? We offer both in-person consultations at our Camarillo office and virtual meetings for clients throughout California. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation with an experienced California living trust lawyer and take the first step toward protecting your family’s future.
Read more below to learn about detailed FAQs and information about Living Trusts in California.
Schedule a consultation today and we’ll answer any other questions you have about revocable living trusts and more.
We offer both in-office at our location in Camarillo, and virtual appointments to serve clients statewide.
Why Most Californians Still Don’t Have an Estate Plan
As estate planning professionals, it’s a mystery to us – perhaps there is a misconception that estate planning is only for the ultra-wealthy. Despite the common understanding of California’s relatively substantial property values and complicated probate process, many state residents still don’t have an estate plan – even if they own a home. That means their families could face court delays, legal fees, and family disputes if something unexpected happens.
A revocable living trust avoids those headaches. It lets your estate pass privately, without court involvement, and it gives you flexibility if you become unable to manage your own affairs.
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California Living Trusts Lawyers
With four experienced estate planning attorneys—Kevin Staker, Brandon Johnson, Samantha Koopman, and Antonio Rodriguez, plus a dedicated support team led by senior legal assistant Rebecca Horton (with the firm since 1990), we handle everything in-house. From drafting your California living trust through trust funding, trust administration after death, and probate avoidance strategies, you work with the same trusted team.
We believe quality estate planning should be accessible. Our California living trust services use straightforward flat rate pricing—no surprise bills. During your initial consultation, we’ll discuss the investment required for your specific situation, whether you need a simple living trust or more complex planning.
Living Trusts Are the Foundation to Estate Planning
While California living trusts are our foundation, our expertise extends to trust administration, probate and conservatorships, business law and formations (including 501(c)(3) nonprofits), special needs trusts, guardianships, Medi-Cal planning for long-term care, comprehensive estate tax planning, charitable remainder trusts, family limited partnerships, and life insurance trusts.
When you choose us at Staker|Johnson as your California living trust attorneys, you’re choosing proven expertise, personalized attention, and a team committed to protecting what matters most to you.

California Living Trust Specialists You Can Trust
At Staker|Johnson Law Corp, our team helps California families and individuals protect what matters most through well structured living trusts.
We believe that a California living trust is one of the most effective estate planning tools for avoiding probate, minimizing delays, and ensuring that your estate is managed according to your wishes.
Because every family’s situation is unique, our team of attorneys take the time to understand your goals and tailor your trust to fit California’s specific laws and tax considerations.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating an outdated will, we help you put the right structure in place to protect your family and your assets. From drafting the trust document to properly transferring assets into it, we guide you through each step with clarity and care.
Creating a living trust is an essential step in ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes.
At Staker|Johnson, we can guide you through each step of this process, ensuring that your estate plan meets both your goals and California’s legal requirements. Let us help you establish a clear, legally sound trust to protect your family’s future.
Get started today by contacting our office.
If a trust appears right for your situation, we’ll schedule a conversation to review your specific circumstances such as family dynamics, property ownership, business interests, and concerns about probate, taxes, or privacy. We’ll explain how a trust works in California and answer all your related estate planning questions.
At Staker|Johnson, our California estate planning law office based in beautiful Ventura County, CA has been helping families throughout the state secure their legacies for over 35 years.
Ready to protect your family’s future? Whether you need a comprehensive living trust or a well-crafted will, Staker|Johnson Law Corporation has the California-specific expertise to create an estate plan that actually works.
Estate Planning Focused on You
Valued Client Reviews on Google
Posted on Lisa VertzMarch 14, 2022. I worked with Brandon Johnson and he was very thorough and excellent to work with on a living trust and will.Posted on Roman KiszDecember 21, 2021. Antonio is great. I work in a related industry, but my wife does not. He sat down with us and helped to get our estate in order by walking us through the trust process. My wife was very happy we took the time to protect our family and to get this crucial step in life accomplished. Thanks again!Posted on Don HouleAugust 13, 2021. A great place to place your trust for a trustPosted on Mike RicciDecember 5, 2020. Posted on Kathy LocklearOctober 3, 2020. Posted on Kyle TSeptember 22, 2020. Kevin is very knowledgeable, professional, and easy to work with. Highly recommend for Tax and Estate planning.Posted on Joan RileyJanuary 16, 2018. I have just completed my trust work with Mr. Staker and I could not. be happier. I was referred to him by a prominent San Fernando Vally commercial realtor so I had high hopes when I met with him and I was not disappointed. Now I am insisting that my children go to him to make certain that their trusts are in order. Joan RileyPosted on Bryan FreebergMay 2, 2017. Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 9 reviews
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Antonio is great. I work in a related industry, but my wife does not. He sat down with us and helped to get our estate in order by walking us... read more through the trust process. My wife was very happy we took the time to protect our family and to get this crucial step in life accomplished. Thanks again!
Roman
July 16, 2022

Our firm is proudly based in Camarillo, CA
We serve clients throughout California. Our law office is conveniently located in Ventura County. We are local to residents in Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Moorpark, Camarillo, Fillmore, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, and Santa Paula.



Living Trust & Probate Law Firm Serving All of California
It is our privilege to guide clients through estate planning decisions.
We believe estate planning should be straightforward, affordable, and actually implemented properly – not left sitting in a drawer because it’s too complex to understand or use.
Schedule a consultation today and we’ll answer any other questions you have about revocable living trusts and more.