Attorney Lisa Golshani discusses choosing a trustee in California and what you need to consider when making this very important decision. choosing a trustee in California

Choosing the Right Trustee for Your Family

by Estate Planning

Imagine the people you love most gathered after you are gone, and one of your children now holds the checkbook for the others. That single choice, who you name as trustee, can either hold your family together or quietly pull it apart. Many parents simply pick their oldest child because it feels natural, and we understand the instinct. Still, it is one of the most important decisions in your entire plan, and it is worth slowing down to get it right. Let’s go through what you need to consider.

First, what does a trustee actually do?

Quite a lot. They gather the assets, pay debts and taxes, keep careful records, keep everyone informed, and follow the trust’s instructions exactly. It is genuinely a job, and mistakes can fall on the trustee personally. That is worth knowing before you ask someone to take it on.

Once you understand the weight of the role, the next question is who should carry it. Most families have three options to weigh, and each comes with real advantages and real trade-offs. Let’s look at them one at a time.

Should you name a family member?

The comfort here is real: Someone who knows the family and serves out of love, usually without a fee. The harder part is that the same person becomes both a referee and a player. When one sibling controls the money and the timing, an ordinary delay can feel like a slight, even when nothing is wrong. A caring relative can also feel buried by tax forms they have never seen before.

What about a professional or corporate trustee?

The advantage here is neutrality and experience. A professional treats every family member the same way, follows the document instead of old history, and knows the paperwork well. The trade-off is a fee and a little less personal warmth. For many families, that trade buys a peace of mind that is worth far more than the cost.

Can you combine both?

You do not have to choose all or nothing. A relative can serve alongside a professional, or with a simple requirement to share yearly accountings and to bring in experts for taxes. Your loved one keeps the personal role, and the structure quietly provides the transparency that prevents suspicion.

So how do you decide?

Take an honest, clear-eyed look at your own family. If everyone gets along and one person is organized and fair, a relative may do beautifully with a little support. If there is tension, real money, or a long history of comparison, a neutral trustee often protects the relationships better than a relative could.

A trust is only as good as the person who carries it out, and there is no shame in wanting help with this choice. Thinking it through carefully is one of the kindest things you can do for the people you leave behind. If you are setting up or updating a trust, we would be glad to help you choose a trustee in California who will protect your family rather than divide it. Call our office at 818-334-2805 to talk it through.

Calabasas estate planning attorneys

Planning for an Estranged Child in Your Estate Plan: What Calabasas Estate Planning Attorneys Want You to Consider

by Estate PlanningUncategorized

Family estrangement is more common than most people talk about openly, and it creates one of the more delicate planning situations we encounter as Calabasas estate planning attorneys. The parent who is no longer in contact with a child, but does not want to cut them out entirely, is navigating a situation that requires more legal care than most people realize.

The instinct is often to set it aside. To figure it out later. To hope the relationship improves before the question becomes urgent. But an estate plan that doesn’t directly address an estranged child, in either direction, can create exactly the kind of conflict and legal exposure you were hoping to avoid.

Why Silence Is Not a Safe Choice

If a child is not mentioned in your will or trust at all, most states have laws designed to protect children who may have been accidentally overlooked. These are called pretermitted heir statutes, and they exist to prevent unintentional disinheritance. The problem is that they cannot distinguish between a child you forgot to include and a child you deliberately chose not to address.

If your estranged child is not named and not explicitly accounted for, they may have legal grounds to claim a share of your estate regardless of your intentions. That claim lands in court, costs money, and forces your other heirs to defend a plan that was never properly prepared for this situation.

What Does Intentional Planning Actually Look Like Here?

The goal is to document your intentions clearly enough that they cannot be successfully challenged. That means naming the estranged child in your documents, acknowledging their existence, and stating explicitly what you intend for them to receive, even if that amount is modest.

A no-contest clause, sometimes called an in terrorem clause, is another tool worth discussing with your attorney. This provision discourages beneficiaries from challenging the plan by making any unsuccessful challenge grounds for forfeiting their inheritance entirely. It does not prevent a challenge, but it raises the stakes of bringing one.

What About the Executor or Trustee?

If your estranged child is receiving something under your plan, the person administering your estate will need to locate them, communicate with them, and potentially coordinate a distribution. That process can be complicated when a relationship is strained. Choosing an executor or trustee who is equipped to handle that dynamic, and who is not personally caught in the middle of it, is a meaningful part of the planning decision.

What If the Estrangement Is the Child’s Choice, Not Yours?

This is a distinction that matters emotionally more than legally, but it still shapes how some clients want to approach their plan. Some parents want to leave a door open. Others want to honor a boundary that the child themselves established. Either intention can be structured into a plan. What it requires is a direct conversation with your attorney about what you actually want, not what feels easiest to say out loud.

This Conversation Deserves a Real Plan

Estrangement is painful enough without leaving your estate plan to interpret it after you are gone. The kindest thing you can do for everyone involved, including the estranged child, is to make your intentions clear and legally defensible while you still can.

If this situation is part of your family’s reality, we invite you to reach out and schedule a consultation with our office. These are exactly the conversations we are here to help you navigate.

San Fernando Valley estate attorney

The #1 Mistake New Executors Make at the Bank (and How to Avoid It)

by Estate Planning

If you’ve recently been named the executor of a loved one’s estate, you are probably running on autopilot. Between making arrangements and notifying family, the last thing on your mind is navigating a bank’s bureaucracy.

But there is one step that, if skipped or delayed, can create a serious legal and financial headache for you personally: Opening the estate bank account.

The Danger of “Doing It Later”

It is tempting to pay a few final utility bills or deposit a small refund check using your personal account, planning to sort it out later.

Don’t. In the eyes of the court, this is called commingling, and it is the fastest way to lose the trust of beneficiaries or find yourself personally liable for estate debts. The estate’s money needs to live in its own dedicated account, completely separate from yours, from day one.

Why the Bank Might Turn You Away

Most people walk into a branch with a death certificate and expect to walk out with an account. It is rarely that simple. Banks are highly regulated and require specific court-validated documents before they can grant you access to an estate account.

This is where working with a San Fernando Valley estate attorney early makes a real difference. Without the correct court orders, specifically your Letters Testamentary and a properly obtained EIN, the bank cannot move forward, and neither can you.

What You’ll Need to Bring

To make your trip to the bank successful on the first visit, you will typically need the following:

  • A certified copy of the death certificate (not a photocopy).
  • Your Letters Testamentary, the official probate court document naming you as the authorized executor.
  • The estate’s EIN, which functions like a Social Security number for the estate itself.
  • Your personal ID to confirm you are the person named in the court documents.

Getting these pieces together correctly and in the right order is something a knowledgeable San Fernando Valley estate attorney can help you move through efficiently.

Protect Your Peace of Mind

Opening this account creates a clear, documented paper trail from the start. That trail is your best protection if a creditor or a frustrated family member ever questions how the estate was handled.

You do not have to guess at the requirements or wrestle with the paperwork on your own. We help families navigate these early steps every day, making sure you have exactly what the bank needs so the process keeps moving forward without unnecessary delays.

If you are ready to move forward with confidence, we invite you to reach out and schedule a consultation. Let’s make sure this is handled correctly from day one

Calabasas estate attorney

How Do You Provide Legal Notice to Creditors After a Loved One Passes? A Calabasas Estate Attorney Explains

by Probate

After a loved one passes away, one of the executor’s most important legal responsibilities is notifying creditors of the death. This process, known as providing “notice to creditors,” protects both the estate and the personal representative by establishing a clear timeframe for creditors to come forward with claims.

As a Calabasas estate attorney, I help families navigate this requirement regularly. Understanding how and when to notify creditors can prevent costly mistakes and ensure the estate is settled properly under state law.

Why Is Notice to Creditors Required?

Legal notice to creditors formally announces the death and the opening of the estate, gives creditors a limited window to submit valid claims, and protects the executor from personal liability. Without proper notice, creditors may have years to make claims against the estate. Following the correct notification process helps bring a timely closure to the estate.

How Do You Notify Creditors?

The process typically involves two steps:

  1. Direct Notice to Known Creditors: The executor must send written notice directly to any creditors known to the estate, including mortgage companies, credit card issuers, and medical providers. This notice should include information about the death, the deadline for filing claims, and where claims should be submitted.

  2. Published Notice in a Newspaper: Most states also require the executor to publish a notice to creditors in a local newspaper of general circulation. This public notice alerts any unknown creditors who may have claims. The notice typically runs once a week for several consecutive weeks.

What Happens After Notice Is Given?

Once proper notice has been provided, creditors typically have a limited timeframe to submit their claims–often three to six months, depending on state law. Claims filed after the deadline may be barred.

The executor must then review submitted claims and pay valid debts from estate assets before making distributions to beneficiaries. Debts are paid in a specific order of priority, with funeral expenses, administrative costs, and taxes typically taking precedence.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Failing to notify known creditors can expose the executor to personal liability. If creditors are not properly notified and later make valid claims, the executor could be held personally responsible for paying those debts.

Being thorough when identifying creditors is crucial. Review financial records, bank statements, and incoming mail carefully to ensure no creditor is overlooked.

Get Professional Guidance

Providing notice to creditors is just one of many legal requirements in settling an estate. Working with an experienced Calabasas estate attorney ensures you fulfill your obligations correctly and protect yourself from potential liability.

If you’ve been named executor and need help navigating the probate process, contact us at 818-334-2805 to schedule a consultation. We’re here to provide clear guidance every step of the way.

North LA County Will and Trust Lawyer

Estate Planning Red Flags: A North LA County Will and Trust Lawyer Reveals Common Parental Missteps

by Estate Planning

As a North LA County Will and Trust Lawyer, I’ve seen firsthand the consequences of inadequate estate planning. Many parents, regardless of age, overlook crucial aspects of securing their family’s future. Whether you’re a new parent, think you’re too young for estate planning, or haven’t updated your documents in years, this post is for you. Let’s explore some common estate planning mistakes and how to avoid them.

“I’m Too Young for Estate Planning”

One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter as a North LA County Will and Trust Lawyer is that estate planning is only for the elderly or wealthy. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you have children, you need an estate plan – period. It’s not just about distributing assets; it’s about ensuring your children are cared for according to your wishes if something unexpected happens.

Outdated Documents: A Silent Threat

Life changes rapidly – marriages, divorces, births, and career shifts can all impact your estate plan. Yet many parents create a will or trust and then forget about it. As your Will and Trust Lawyer, I recommend reviewing your estate plan every 3-5 years or after any major life event. An outdated plan can be just as problematic as having no plan at all.

The Digital Dilemma: Forgetting Online Accounts

In our increasingly digital world, online accounts can hold significant financial and sentimental value. Many parents forget to include provisions for these digital assets in their estate plans. A comprehensive plan should address how to handle everything from social media accounts to cryptocurrency holdings.

Beneficiary Blunders: The Devil’s in the Details

Improper beneficiary designations are a common pitfall. Remember, certain assets like life insurance policies and retirement accounts pass outside of your will or trust. I’ve seen cases where outdated beneficiary designations have completely derailed a parent’s intentions. As your Will and Trust Lawyer, I can help ensure all your beneficiary designations align with your overall estate plan.

The DIY Disaster: Complex Situations Require Professional Help

In an age of online forms and DIY legal services, it’s tempting to try and create your own estate planning documents. While this might work for very simple situations, most parents’ circumstances require more nuanced planning. Blended families, children with special needs, or significant assets are just a few scenarios where professional guidance from a North LA County Will and Trust Lawyer is crucial.

Guardianship Oversights: Who Will Care for Your Children?

Perhaps the most critical element of estate planning for parents is naming a guardian for minor children. Yet many parents put this off, finding it too difficult to contemplate or assuming family members will step in. Without clear guardianship designations, your children’s future could be decided by a court rather than your wishes.

The Solution: Comprehensive, Professional Estate Planning

These common mistakes underscore the importance of working with an experienced North LA County Will and Trust Lawyer. We can help you navigate the complexities of estate planning, ensuring that your plan is comprehensive, up-to-date, and truly reflects your wishes for your family’s future.

Don’t leave your family’s security to chance. Our team is here to help you create a robust estate plan that addresses all these potential pitfalls. Contact our office today at 818-334-2805 to schedule a consultation. Let’s work together to create a plan that gives you peace of mind and protects what matters most – your family.