Living Trust Attorney in Long Beach, CA
Avoid probate, protect your assets, and pass them directly to your loved ones. Serving Long Beach and surrounding communities.
Why a Living Trust Matters in California
A living trust is the fastest way for California families to avoid probate. You put your assets into a trust while you are alive, name yourself as trustee, and name a successor to take over when you die or become incapacitated. Your heirs get what you leave them without a court battle and without months of waiting.
California probate is expensive and slow. Fees are set by statute based on the value of the estate — not the time spent. A home worth $800,000 can cost $38,000 in combined attorney and executor fees. A living trust keeps your estate out of probate entirely.
What We Handle
- Revocable living trusts for homeowners and families
- Trust funding — transferring your home, accounts, and assets into the trust
- Pour-over wills that pair with your trust
- Successor trustee designations
- Amendments and restatements as your life changes
- Trust reviews every few years to keep everything current
California-Specific Trust Rules
California probate starts when an estate exceeds $184,500 in non-trust assets. Anything above that threshold has to go through court unless it is held in a trust, owned jointly, or has a designated beneficiary. A living trust is the cleanest way to get under that threshold.
Proposition 19 changed how inherited property is taxed in California. If a child inherits a parent’s home through a trust and does not move in within one year, the property is reassessed at current market value — often tripling the tax bill. We structure trusts to work within Prop 19 rules.
California also treats most assets acquired during marriage as community property. A properly drafted trust accounts for community versus separate property so there is no confusion later.
Who Should Have a Living Trust
Not every adult in California needs a trust. But many do. Consider one if any of these describe you:
- You own a home in Long Beach or anywhere in California
- Your total assets exceed $184,500
- You want privacy — probate is public, trusts are not
- You want to control when and how beneficiaries receive assets
- You want to avoid court delays for your family
Our Process
Step 1: Free Consultation
Talk through your family, your assets, and your goals. No fee, no pressure.
Step 2: Draft & Fund
We draft your trust and walk you through funding it with your home, accounts, and assets.
Step 3: Sign & Protect
Sign, notarize, and put the trust in place so your family is protected.
Living Trust Questions
Costs vary depending on your situation. Complex plans with tax planning or business interests cost more. Compare that to probate fees on an $800,000 home — often $38,000 or more.
They do different things. A will controls what happens after you die but still goes through probate. A living trust avoids probate entirely and also handles incapacity while you are still alive. Most California homeowners need both.
Yes. A revocable living trust can be amended or revoked at any time while you are alive and competent. You stay in full control.
No. You are the trustee. You manage everything exactly as you do now. The trust only matters when you become incapacitated or die.
The trust still works, but you may need to update it to reflect your new state’s rules. We recommend a review whenever you relocate.
Request a Free Consultation
Tell us a little about your situation. We will get back to you within one business day to schedule a free consultation.