Passing It On: Estate Planning for Families

Wondering how real estate actually gets "inside" a living trust? In this concise episode, we break down the simple—but crucial—process of retitling your home: drafting a new deed that transfers ownership from you, the individual to you, the trustee of your newly minted revocable living trust, then recording that deed at the county recorder's office. You'll hear why this one paperwork move keeps yo...

Does your house really have to wind its way through California's probate courts before it can land in the hands of loved ones? Spoiler: absolutely not. In this bite-sized episode, we unpack why a revocable living trust is the gold-standard tool for transferring real estate—whether to kids, grandkids, or any beneficiary you choose— without triggering the time-sucking, fee-laden probate process. You...

👉 California residents: book your free estate planning strategy session at www.ocestateplanlawyer.com Let's clear up one of the biggest myths in estate planning: debt doesn't pass down to your family when you die. If there's no co-signer or joint account holder, things like credit card balances, medical bills, and personal loans usually die with you. In this episode, I explain how debt is handled...

👉 California residents: book your free estate planning strategy session at www.ocestateplanlawyer.com In this episode, I explain why creating a revocable living trust isn't enough—you have to fund it. A trust without assets is just an empty bucket. I walk you through what it means to fund your trust, how to transfer real estate, financial accounts, and other assets into it, and why failing to do...

👉 California residents: book your free estate planning strategy session at www.ocestateplanlawyer.com Estate planning is about making your own decisions—who gets your property, your keepsakes, your accounts—whether it's family, friends, or even organizations you care about. In this episode, I explain how a revocable living trust helps you stay in control of where everything goes when you're gone....

👉 California residents: book your free estate planning strategy session at www.ocestateplanlawyer.com Can someone who isn't a relative inherit your home, bank accounts, or other assets? Absolutely. In this episode, I answer one of the most common estate planning questions I get: how to leave property to a friend, a partner, a charity, or anyone outside your family. I explain how to do it legally...

👉 California residents: book your free estate planning strategy session at www.ocestateplanlawyer.com Can you sell a house that's owned by a revocable living trust? Absolutely—and it's often easier than you think. In this episode, I explain how to handle real estate sales when a property is titled in a trust. All it usually takes is providing a certificate of trust to your realtor and title compa...

Free Estate Planning Strategy Session for California Residents www.ocestateplanlawyer.com When your adult children don't get along, the last thing you want is for them to hash it out in probate court. In this episode, I talk about why a revocable living trust is critical if there's sibling tension, personality clashes, or a blended family dynamic. Without a clear estate plan, your house, bank acco...

Creating your own estate plan might seem easy with online tools, but I've seen firsthand how do-it-yourself wills and revocable living trusts can fall apart. In this episode, I break down the most common mistakes people make using DIY estate planning kits—missing successor trustee provisions, unfunded trusts, and documents that don't meet California legal standards. If you're using an online servi...

👉 California residents: book your free estate planning strategy session at www.ocestateplanlawyer.com When someone passes away with a living trust, it's the trustee—not the beneficiary—who's in charge. In this episode, I break down the difference between being a trustee and a beneficiary, and why it matters for your estate plan. From distributing assets to paying debts and filing final tax return...

👉 California residents: book your free estate planning strategy session at www.ocestateplanlawyer.com Thinking about using LegalZoom or another online service for your will or living trust? Before you do, hear me out. As a California estate planning attorney, I've seen the hidden risks—missing trustee provisions, vague distribution clauses, and documents that don't follow state law. In this episo...

If you're a California resident and ready to take the next step in securing your estate, visit my website at www.ocestateplanlawyer.com to learn more. Free Strategy Session for California Residents: https://calendly.com/mpevney/strategysession I'm diving into one of the most common and costly mistakes I see people make with their estate plans—putting a child on the deed to their home to avoid prob...

👉 California residents: book your free estate planning strategy session at www.ocestateplanlawyer.com Setting up a living trust is only step one. If you haven't opened a bank account in the name of your trust, your assets might still end up in probate. In this episode, I explain why funding your trust matters, how to title accounts correctly, and the simple steps to open a trust bank account. Whe...

👉 California residents: book your free estate planning strategy session at www.ocestateplanlawyer.com If your revocable living trust doesn't have a solid plan for what happens when your chosen trustee can't serve, you're risking court involvement—and all the delays, costs, and headaches that come with probate. In this episode, I explain how trust administration breaks down when backup trustee pro...

In this quick episode, I explain what happens to a parent's bank account after they pass away—and why it depends on how the account is set up. Joint owner? Beneficiary? No beneficiary at all? Each scenario leads to a very different outcome. I'll share how to avoid probate and keep things simple by using a living trust—either by titling the account in the trust's name or naming the trust as the ben...

Thinking of adding your child to your bank account? Think again. In this short episode, I explain why joint accounts with kids can expose your money to lawsuits, creditors, and other liabilities. I'll also share smarter alternatives—like naming them as a beneficiary (POD) or using a living trust as part of a complete estate plan. Protect yourself and your family the right way. 📍 California reside...

If your parents won't set up a living trust, this quick episode gives you the one thing that might change their minds: the reality of probate. It's expensive, public, and painfully slow. Sometimes, the consequences speak louder than the advice. #EstatePlanning #LivingTrust #FillThatBucket #Pevney #financialfreedom #orangecounty  

Thinking about quietly taking over your parents' mortgage without telling the bank they passed away? Yikes. That's not just risky—it could be mortgage fraud. In this episode, I break down why this strategy can backfire fast and what you actually need to do if you inherit a home. We'll talk about the legal consequences of skipping proper title transfers, the nightmare of probate court, and how a li...

So you've inherited a home—but it still has a mortgage. What happens next? In this episode, I explain what it means to inherit property with an existing loan, how mortgage responsibilities are typically handled, and what rights and options you may have. We'll also cover how a living trust plays into this. If the home was placed in a trust, the trustee may have guidance—or even discretion—on whethe...

📍 California residents can schedule a free strategy session at www.ocestateplanlawyer.com When setting up an estate plan for elderly parents, it's common for adult children to be involved—but it's crucial to understand who the client really is. In this episode, I talk about the importance of maintaining a clear attorney-client relationship with the parents—not the children—and how this protects t...

What are the downsides to setting up a living trust? Honestly—not much. Aside from the upfront cost, a revocable living trust is, in my opinion, the best estate planning tool for the vast majority of people. In this episode, I break down why living trusts are so powerful, what they actually do, and why the so-called "downsides" pale in comparison to the benefits. If you want to avoid probate, prot...

Why naming your living trust—not an individual—as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy can be a game-changer. It's one of the smartest estate planning moves you can make to avoid probate, protect minor beneficiaries, and keep those funds safe from lawsuits, divorces, and poor decisions. We'll talk about how a trust can control the timing and terms of inheritance, shield assets from legal...

Thinking about hiring the cheapest estate planning lawyer you can find? In this episode, I explain why that might be a costly mistake. A "great and cheap" estate plan often turns out to be neither. From setting up a revocable living trust and avoiding probate to protecting your home and naming guardians for your kids—this stuff isn't one-size-fits-all. Real estate planning takes real strategy. Gen...

Just because someone inherits from a trust doesn't mean they get a giant check the moment you're gone. In this episode, I dive into how you can use a revocable living trust to create structured, smart inheritances—like monthly payouts that act as a responsible "afterlife allowance." It's one of the best ways to protect young beneficiaries (think: 18-year-olds with bad ideas and access to fast cars...

In this episode, I break down the two essential documents every adult should have in place before they pass away: a financial power of attorney and a healthcare power of attorney—also known in California as an advance healthcare directive. These documents aren't just for the wealthy; they're critical tools for anyone who wants to make sure their finances and healthcare decisions are handled proper...