Passing It On: Estate Planning for Families

What happens when someone receives a serious medical diagnosis, speaks with an estate planning attorney, and then decides to wait? In this video, I share another real-world estate planning story that almost ended very differently. A family contacted me after receiving a serious health diagnosis. We had a full consultation, discussed their options, reviewed how a living trust could protect their fa...

What happens when the people who created a living trust pass away and I am now the one in charge as trustee? In this episode, I walk through what a successor trustee actually does after death, what trust administration looks like, and why a properly funded living trust can help a family avoid probate in California. I explain why trust administration does not happen automatically, even when there i...

Control over your assets, your healthcare decisions, and your legacy — both while you are alive and after you pass away. In this episode, I explain why estate planning is not just about what happens when you die. A proper estate plan actually gives you control during your lifetime if you become unable to make financial or healthcare decisions. I also walk through the key documents that make up a c...

If I left my child a million dollars tomorrow, would it actually be protected from divorce? In this episode, I walk through how inheritance works in California — especially in a community property state like ours — and why simply leaving assets outright to your kids can create serious risk. As an estate planning attorney here in California, I see this mistake all the time. Parents assume that beca...

What happens if you leave a large inheritance to a child who is struggling with substance abuse, gambling, or serious financial irresponsibility? In this episode, I explain why leaving money outright to a vulnerable beneficiary can unintentionally cause real harm — and what I do instead when I design estate plans for families here in California. When you leave money outright, it goes directly into...

What Happens to Your Pets When You Die? What actually happens to your pets when you die? In this podcast, I walk you through the 4 main ways you can make sure your animals—dogs, cats, birds, snakes, tortoises, even horses—are properly cared for after you're gone. As an estate planning lawyer here in California, I've helped clients set up everything from informal pet plans to formal pet trusts with...

In this episode, I dive into one of the most common estate planning questions I get: Is a will enough? Or do I need a trust? I break down when a will might be appropriate — and why, in most cases here in California, it falls short. Especially if you own real estate or have young kids, relying on just a will could cost your family tens of thousands of dollars and years of court time. You'll learn:...

In this episode, I'm diving into one of the most important — and often misunderstood — parts of estate planning: choosing the right successor trustee . This isn't about who gets your assets. It's about who gives them out, and whether they're equipped to do it properly, fairly, and without conflict. I explain: What a trustee is actually responsible for after you pass Why I don't serve as a trustee...

Most brides don't wear their mom's wedding dress. Why not? It's sentimental, meaningful… and yet, rarely used. In this episode, I'll explain what this has to do with estate planning, family homes, and why passing down property the wrong way can create major conflict between siblings when a parent passes away. 👋 I'm Michael Pevney, estate planning attorney and founder of Pevney Estate Planning, PC...

Would your child make wise choices if they inherited $1 million tomorrow? If you're not sure—or if the answer is "definitely not"—this video is for you. I'm Michael Pevney, an estate planning lawyer based in Orange County, California, and today we're talking about spendthrift trusts—one of the most powerful tools in estate planning. A spendthrift trust allows you to leave assets like real estate,...

In this quick estate planning episode, attorney Michael Pevney breaks down whether putting a rental property—or any business—into an LLC makes sense as part of your overall estate plan. Learn why the first layer of protection is always solid insurance, and how creating an LLC adds a powerful second layer to shield your personal assets from business-related liability.   But that's not all: Michael...

If you've ever wondered how to add your home to a living trust — especially when there's a mortgage on it — this episode is for you.   I'm Michael Pevney , a California estate planning attorney, and I help families protect their homes, avoid probate, and create peace of mind through solid estate planning. In this episode, I explain the exact steps to transfer your real estate into your living trus...

Confused about whether you need a will or a living trust ? In this episode, Michael Pevney, an experienced California estate planning lawyer, breaks down the key differences between the two — so you can make the best decision for protecting your family, your assets, and your legacy. You'll learn: What a Last Will & Testament really does Why a Revocable Living Trust often makes more sense in Califo...

A lot of people think their family will just automatically get their home or savings if they pass away without a trust — but that's not how it works in California. In this video, I'm walking you through exactly what happens when someone dies without a trust in place. I'll explain the probate process — how long it takes, how much it costs, and why it's something I help my clients avoid every single...

Thinking about writing your will by hand? Think again. In this short episode, attorney Michael Pevney explains why handwritten wills (also called holographic wills) can leave your loved ones in years of conflict. Aretha Franklin's estate turned into a courtroom battle after multiple handwritten wills were found hidden around her home. Michael breaks down what went wrong, why handwritten wills are...

Adding a child to your deed or relying on a will feels "simple," but it can spark tax shocks, creditor risk, and a long probate slog. In this quick episode, discover why a revocable living trust is the cleaner, court-free route: Joint tenancy pitfalls – capital-gains surprises, liability headaches, and frozen titles if a co-owner dies. Why wills still land heirs in probate – and how that drains ti...

Can a non-relative inherit your house, bank account, or prized guitar collection? Absolutely—if you set things up the right way. In this 7-minute episode, California estate-planning attorney  explains: • Why state law lets you leave assets to anyone—friend, partner, charity—if your documents are crystal-clear • How joint ownership, beneficiary designations, and wills work (and where they fall shor...

Still holding a property in Grandma's name years after she passed? That "do-nothing" approach can backfire fast. In this episode we unpack: • How an un-transferred title drags the whole family into probate court—and keeps the judge in charge of who inherits what. • The capital-gains hit waiting for heirs when a stepped-up basis clock never starts. • Real-life stories of sibling feuds that erupt wh...

Think living trusts are only for parents? Think again. If you own California real estate or have assets worth roughly $100,000 or more, a revocable living trust lets you decide exactly who gets what—and spares your heirs (or favorite charities) from the slow, pricey probate process that kicks in when the state follows its own default rules. You'll hear: • how a trust keeps courts—and distant relat...

Worried a lawsuit could wipe out everything you've built? In this value-packed episode, California estate-planning attorney Michael Pevney breaks down three proven layers of defense: • Insurance, insurance, insurance  – why an umbrella policy may be the cheapest million-dollar shield you'll ever buy. • Incorporate your business (or rentals)  – how an LLC or S-Corp walls off personal assets and wha...

A solid living trust is the backbone of any complete estate plan—but what's the smartest way to create one? In this bite-sized episode we compare the three routes open to Californians: • Write it yourself. Great for legal-savvy DIYers, but one wrong clause can land your heirs in probate. • Use an online/doc-prep service. Faster and cheaper than hiring counsel, yet still "assembly line" and often m...

Wondering if you should retitle your vehicle into your revocable living trust or just leave it under your own name? In this 10-minute episode we break down the three easy ways to move a car into a trust (full DMV retitle • simple personal-property assignment • listing it on your trust's Schedule A) and explain when each route makes sense—especially for classics or high-value collectibles. We also...

Can you just name one sibling as the "beneficiary" of your checking account and count on them to share the cash later? Technically—yes. Practically—prepare for drama. In this quick episode, we unpack the legal and family risks of relying on promises instead of your revocable living trust : • Why "do-it-yourself" beneficiary shortcuts can sideline your true wishes • How properly titling an account...

Leaving your house to the kids in a will sounds simple—but it drags them straight into California's probate maze. And putting a child on the title? That move can trigger tax headaches and liability risks you never saw coming. In this episode, discover why a revocable living trust is the clean, court-free path for transferring your primary residence. We cover: • How one deed change drops your home...

Think multiple kids require multiple trusts? Think again. A single revocable living trust can carve up your estate any way you choose—equal shares, staggered ages, or bespoke gifts—while keeping everything under one cohesive legal umbrella. In this quick episode you'll learn how trustees use distribution clauses and sub-trusts to tailor inheritances, all while bypassing California's probate maze (...