Pasadena Law Firm Receives Prestigious Recognition
What is the Probate Process in California?
What is the Probate Process in California? Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person’s estate is administered and distributed according to their will, or if they passed away without a will (intestate), according to California state law. The probate process is generally time-consuming and costly, and is often complex, which is why […]
How Creating a Trust Can Help Avoid Probate in California
How Creating a Trust Can Help Avoid Probate in California Probate is a court-supervised process that can be time-consuming, expensive, and stressful for heirs. In California, probate can take anywhere from nine months to several years, depending on the complexity of the estate. Fortunately, creating a trust is one of the most effective ways to avoid […]
How to Avoid Tax Reassessment on Your Home in California: Key Strategies for Homeowners
How to Avoid Tax Reassessment on Your Home in California: Key Strategies for Homeowners As a California homeowner, understanding how to protect your property from unnecessary tax reassessments is crucial to maintaining predictable and manageable property taxes. California’s property tax system is governed by Proposition 13, passed in 1978, which limits the amount your property […]
Managing the Finances of an Incapacitated Californian: A Practical Guide
Managing the Finances of an Incapacitated Californian: A Practical Guide When a Californian becomes mentally incapacitated and unable to manage their financial affairs, it often falls to friends or family members to step in. However, even with the best intentions, navigating the procedural and legal hurdles at banks and brokerage firms can feel overwhelming. This […]
How to Get a Conservatorship: The Legal Steps to Establish Conservatorship in California
How to Get a Conservatorship: The Legal Steps to Establish Conservatorship in California Creating a conservatorship in California involves a legal process that allows a responsible person or organization to care for an adult who cannot manage their personal care or finances. This might be due to physical or mental limitations, such as a disability, […]
Guardianship vs. Conservatorship in California: What’s the Difference?
Guardianship vs. Conservatorship in California: What’s the Difference? In California, both conservatorship and guardianship serve as legal tools to help protect individuals who cannot care for themselves or manage their own affairs. Although they share similar purposes, they are distinct in their application and scope. Understanding these differences is crucial for anyone considering pursuing one […]
What is a Trustee? Understanding the Role, Responsibilities and Legal Implications
What is a Trustee? Understanding the Role, Responsibilities and Legal Implications In the realm of estate planning and asset management, the role of a trustee is pivotal. Whether you are considering appointing a trustee or have been asked to serve as one, understanding what it means to be a trustee is crucial, not only for […]
Creating and Managing a Trust: Do I Need an Attorney?
Creating and Managing a Trust: Do I Need an Attorney? When it comes to trusts, the question of whether you need an attorney often arises. While some may consider handling trusts independently, there are compelling reasons why enlisting the expertise of a legal professional is crucial. Here are three key reasons why you need […]
The Importance of Estate Planning: Ensuring Family Harmony and Protecting Your Legacy
The Importance of Estate Planning: Ensuring Family Harmony and Protecting Your Legacy Estate Planning attorneys see firsthand the turmoil and discord that can arise within families when a loved one passes away without a clear and comprehensive estate plan. The emotional toll of losing a family member is compounded when disputes over the estate emerge, […]
Wealth Management Tax Strategies for High-Net-Worth Individuals
Wealth Management Tax Strategies for High-Net-Worth Individuals: A Legal Perspective In the realm of wealth management, high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) face unique challenges and opportunities. High-net-worth individuals are often seeking to navigate the intricate landscape of tax strategies to preserve and grow their wealth. This blog will delve into effective tax strategies tailored for HNWIs, emphasizing […]
Protecting Your Children’s Future: Why You Need a Guardianship Plan in California
Protecting Your Children’s Future: Why You Need a Guardianship Plan in California As a parent, your children’s safety and well-being are your highest priority. You strive to provide them with love, care, and support every day but, have you considered what would happen to them if you were suddenly unable to fulfill your parental duties? […]
10 Things to Know if You are a Beneficiary in a Probate Case
Are you a beneficiary in a probate case? Probate can be a long process that many think is avoided with a will. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. If you are a beneficiary in a probate case, there are several important things you should know and consider.
How To Hold Title to Your Home & Common Mistakes
How To Hold Title to Your Home & Common Mistakes Holding title to a home involves legal ownership and can have significant financial and legal implications when title isn’t held properly. Many people are not aware of the implications and unknowingly make common mistakes. In order to be better prepared and make informed decisions, learning […]
The Most Important Things to Consider When Gifting Real Estate to Your Children
The Most Important Things to Consider When Gifting Real Estate to Your Children Gifting real estate property to children is a significant financial and legal decision that requires careful consideration. Here are some important things people need to know when gifting real estate property to their children: TAX IMPLICATIONS Gifting real estate property […]
Lagerlof LLP Partner, Vanessa Terzian, Named Los Angeles Business Journal’s Women’s Leadership Symposium Nominee
Lagerlof LLP Partner, Vanessa Terzian, Named Los Angeles Business Journal’s Women’s Leadership Symposium Nominee PASADENA, CA – Lagerlof, LLP’s, Vanessa Terzian, was honored as a nominee at the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Women’s Leadership Symposium & Awards event held on Wednesday June 28 at the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown. Vanessa was nominated as an Executive […]
Top 3 Considerations When Creating an Estate Plan
Top 3 Considerations When Creating an Estate Plan Estate planning is a critical process that can safeguard your assets, provide for your loved ones, and ensure that your final wishes are respected. As estate planning laws and regulations continue to evolve in California, it’s essential to consider the following top three needs when creating an […]
Joint Tenancy vs. Living Trust
What are the pros and cons of owning real property in joint tenancy versus in a living trust? Owning real property in joint tenancy and through a living trust are two common ways to hold property. Each option has its own pros and cons, but which one would be best for you? Here are some […]
WHAT YOU NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN GIFTING REAL ESTATE
What You Need To Consider When Gifting Real Estate When gifting real estate to beneficiaries, owners should understand the potential for post-gift legal disputes, the property tax implications, and the income tax consequences of the change in ownership. If the property is gifted during the owner’s lifetime, the owner must consider the major legal issues […]
Every Parent’s Guide to Estate Planning: Peace of Mind Made Easy
Every Parent’s Guide to Estate Planning: Peace of Mind Made Easy Strapping your screaming kid into a car seat, cajoling your frightened toddler into holding still for vaccines, listening to your sweet baby wail as you leave her for the first time in the care of someone else … These are the not so fun parts […]
The Gift Clock is Ticking
The Gift Clock is Ticking: Tax Changes to Expect in 2026 Federal tax laws are changing on January 1, 2026. What does this mean? It means the amount that you can give away without gift or estate tax will be cut in half. With that in mind, here’s what you need to know… CHANGES IN […]
Part 3 — Family Meetings: Money Lessons — Teaching Financial Literacy With Age-Appropriate Practices
Part 3 — Family Meetings: Money Lessons – Teaching Financial Literacy With Age-Appropriate Practices Teaching children to be good stewards of wealth takes education, engagement, and experience. Communicating and developing a sense of the true meaning of wealth and teaching money lessons that develop financial literacy is a must, and it’s never too early for […]
When the Unthinkable Happens: Putting Your Guardianship Wishes in Writing
When the Unthinkable Happens: Putting Your Guardianship Wishes in Writing No one ever wants to think about what would happen to their children if they were in a horrible accident, or worse. However, this is something that you can’t afford not to plan for. The unthinkable happens to people every day, and not being prepared […]
Part 2: Family Meetings: How, What and When Do We Tell The Kids? Financial Information In An Information Age
Part 2: Family Meetings: How, What and When Do We Tell The Kids? Financial Information In An Information Age The traditional way of talking about wealth within a family is typically…silence. There is often fear about broaching the whole topic of family finances because of worries that sharing too much information will diminish one’s power, […]
Part 1 — Family Meetings: Understanding and Communicating Family Goals
Part 1 — Family Meetings: Understanding and Communicating Family Goals We all want to raise children who will be careful with money, but how? One of the best ways is to create a family culture of open communication about the family’s values, and the real meaning of wealth. Part of any family meeting should […]
Guardianship: What Documentation You Need To Create A Solid Plan
Guardianship: What Documentation You Need To Create A Solid Plan A big estate planning misconception is that to appoint a guardian for your minor children all you need to do is name a guardian in your will. Unfortunately, this is not true. A guardianship provided for in a Will only takes effect after you die. […]
Choosing A Trustee? Make Sure They Exhibit These Characteristics
Choosing A Trustee? Make Sure They Exhibit These Characteristics Choosing a Trustee can be a difficult and challenging task. If you are choosing a Trustee, here are some characteristics you may want to consider that will help assure your wishes and the closing of your estate are executed properly. A Trustee is a person named […]
What You Don’t Know About Being A Trustee Can Hurt You: Understanding What It Means To Be A Trustee
What You Don’t Know About Being A Trustee Can Hurt You: Understanding What It Means To Be A Trustee You may be flattered when your aging parents, or other relatives, ask you to serve as the Trustee of their estate. While it’s gratifying that they have such confidence in you, know what’s involved – and […]
Practitioner’s Guide to Preserving the Latino Legacy
Practitioner’s Guide to Preserving the Latino Legacy I. Article INTRODUCTION With each generation, Latin American immigrants are becoming wealthier and more aware of the need to work with California estate planners to protect their legacies. However, when a client from Latin America seeks an estate plan from a California estate planning attorney, the risk is […]