Legacy Protected: Navigating Estate Planning and Probate in Southern California

Today on Legacy Protected, DeDe Soto breaks down one of the most misunderstood tools in family planning: the special needs trust. For parents of children with disabilities, a standard will is not just insufficient, it can strip a child of critical government benefits like SSI and Medi-Cal the moment an inheritance lands in their name. DeDe explains exactly how a properly structured special needs t...

When a loved one dies and you're named successor trustee, the clock starts immediately. In this episode, DeDe Soto breaks down the full arc of California trust administration, from gathering assets and notifying beneficiaries to filing tax returns and formally closing the trust. She covers what trustees are legally required to do, where they most often go wrong, and why personal liability is a rea...

Becoming a trustee after losing a loved one is stressful enough without also discovering you have a legal minefield to cross. In this episode, DeDe Soto breaks down California trust administration from the ground up, covering what it actually means to hold a fiduciary title, how to gather and transfer assets, when to send notice to beneficiaries, and why distributing money too early can leave a tr...

Business succession planning is where California business owners lose the most money — and most of them never see it coming. In this episode, DeDe Soto, estate planning attorney and founder of the Soto Law Group, walks through the legal tools that protect a business through ownership transfer: LLCs, buy-sell agreements, irrevocable trusts, and the current $15 million federal gift tax exemption. Sh...

In this episode of Legacy Protected, DeDe Soto breaks down everything California business owners need to know about business succession planning — and why most of them aren't as prepared as they think. From LLCs without operating agreements to S corporations with no estate plan attached, DeDe walks through the real consequences of leaving these critical documents unconnected, including costly prob...

Probate in California is expensive, time-consuming, and — with the right planning — almost entirely avoidable. In this episode, DeDe Soto breaks down three proven strategies for keeping your estate out of probate court: revocable living trusts, beneficiary designations, and the often-misunderstood risks of joint tenancy and gifting. DeDe explains why even having a will isn't enough, and walks thro...

Transferring real estate in Newport Beach involves far more than just signing over a deed — and DeDe Soto breaks down everything families need to know. From passing vacation homes and rental properties to the next generation, to navigating the messy realities of multi-generational and out-of-state ownership, DeDe walks through the tools, strategies, and pitfalls that can make or break a property t...

In this episode of Legacy Protected, DeDe Soto breaks down one of the most important estate planning issues facing Southern California families: how to transfer high-value real estate without triggering unnecessary taxes. With property values soaring across Orange County, understanding step-up in basis, capital gains, Prop 13, and Prop 19 is critical—especially for seniors concerned about Medicaid...

Artificial intelligence is everywhere right now, but how much can you really trust it when legal decisions are on the line? In this episode of Legacy Protected, host DeDe Soto sits down with attorney Shanda Beach of Beach Law Group to unpack the real-world pros and pitfalls of using AI in probate, estate planning, and legal practice. Together, they explore how AI can save time and money when used...

In this episode of Legacy Protected, host DeDe Soto explores what really happens when probate and trust disputes collide with high-stakes business litigation. Joined by Shanda Beach, founder of a Newport Beach business litigation boutique, the conversation pulls back the curtain on how contentious family and shareholder disputes unfold behind the scenes. Together, they break down why settlement is...

In this episode of Legacy Protected, we take a deep dive into estate planning strategies tailored for high net worth families, with a focus on the unique financial, tax, and family dynamics that come with significant wealth. From evolving federal estate tax exemptions and gifting strategies to advanced planning tools like irrevocable trusts, LLCs, and asset protection structures, this conversation...

Unlock the mysteries of the probate maze and empower yourself with the knowledge to navigate Orange County's complex legal landscape. Join DeDe Soto as we unravel the intricacies of the probate process, shedding light on the pitfalls of self-representation and the significant delays caused by a congested court system. This episode guides you through the legal nuances and potential tax benefits of...

Unlock the secrets of navigating the probate process in Southern California with DeDe Soto. Discover the essential steps to protect your legacy and smoothly distribute assets, as we tackle the complexities of probate in areas like Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Irvine. This episode peels back the layers of probate's often grueling timeline, exacerbated by pandemic-related court slowdowns and famil...

Unlock the keys to safeguarding the future of your special needs child with expert insights from DeDe Soto of the Soto Law Group. We'll navigate the complex world of estate planning, highlighting common pitfalls that can impact your child's access to essential benefits. Discover why custodial and California ABLE accounts may not always be the right choice, and learn how to strategically name benef...

Unlock the secrets to protecting your legacy and ensuring financial peace of mind with DeDe Soto from the Soto Law Group. You'll gain valuable insights on the critical role of trust funding and asset protection in estate planning. Learn why transferring asset ownership to a trust and designating beneficiaries can be the key to bypassing the costly and cumbersome probate process. Discover strategie...

Unlock the secrets to preserving your legacy in this inaugural episode of "Legacy Protected" with DeDe Soto of the Soto Law Group. Discover the critical importance of estate planning and the real-life consequences of procrastination, as DeDe unravels common misconceptions around wills and trusts. Through her personal journey and professional insights, she emphasizes the urgency of planning ahead t...

Welcome to *Legacy Protected*, the podcast by The Soto Law Group, dedicated to empowering Southern California families and business owners through essential insights on estate planning, probate, trust and probate litigation, and trust administration. In each episode, we'll demystify the complex legal landscape that surrounds asset protection, inheritance preservation, and care for vulnerable famil...