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Funding a Trust - The Werner Law Firm

Why Funding a Trust Is Important and What It Means

POSTED ON: February 19, 2021 BY: Troy Werner
To understand how a trust should be built, you need to first understand what a living trust is, how funding a trust works, and why it's important.   A trust is only worth what you fund it with – so if you decide against funding a trust, it is effectively useless. Learn more about funding […]
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What Is an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT)? - Werner Law Firm

What Is an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT)?

POSTED ON: February 16, 2021 BY: Troy Werner
Life insurance policies provide a plethora of tax advantages depending on the policy and your circumstances, especially regarding its beneficiary. But for you, the policyholder, a large life insurance policy payout after your death may count towards your estate’s total value and potentially push you over the edge of the federal and/or state estate tax […]
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What Is a Small Estate Affidavit? - Werner Law Firm

What Is a Small Estate Affidavit?

POSTED ON: February 10, 2021 BY: Troy Werner
In California, a "small estate affidavit" is often used to resolve final estate matters for a deceased person who died without a will and can help fast track the costly, lengthy process of probate. A small estate affidavit is a state-specific legal document used to skip the estates' probate process with a total value under […]
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7 Estate Planning Strategies to Implement in 2021 - Werner Law Firm

7 Estate Planning Strategies to Implement in 2021

POSTED ON: January 30, 2021 BY: Troy Werner
Estate planning strategies are something people rarely think about – we do not tend to dwell on the consequences of our deaths or what might happen to our families if we are gone. However, despite a deadly pandemic, less than a third of Americans have a will, and even fewer have a personalized, comprehensive estate […]
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When Does Trust Litigation Become Necessary? - Werner Law Firm

When Does Trust Litigation Become Necessary?

POSTED ON: January 25, 2021 BY: Troy Werner
The trust litigation process is reserved for cases where the integrity of trust is in question. Like other examples of litigation, trust litigation requires thorough research and a lengthy, at times expensive discovery process to prove ill intent or wrongdoing and justify damages or some other compensation for the petitioner. There are times when trust […]
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Alternatives and Shortcuts to the Probate Process in California - Werner Law Firm

Alternatives and Shortcuts to the Probate Process in California

POSTED ON: January 18, 2021 BY: Troy Werner
The probate process can be a lengthy and expensive affair for certain estates, especially after they have reached a specific scope and level of complexity. But it is not always necessary, and there are ways to shorten and even avoid probate. Careful estate planning tools can serve as an alternative option to California probate and […]
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What Is Conservatorship, How Does It Work? - Werner Law Firm

What Is Conservatorship, How Does It Work?

POSTED ON: January 14, 2021 BY: Troy Werner
When an adult is no longer capable of caring for themselves, their loved ones may step in to care for them – to the point of taking full authority over their lives, if circumstances validate it. That is what a conservatorship authorizes. Conservatorships may be considered in cases where adults are no longer self-sufficient due […]
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The California Trust Administration Process - Werner Law Firm

The California Trust Administration Process

POSTED ON: January 11, 2021 BY: Troy Werner
When a person dies, their assets must be distributed among their relatives or persons of their choosing. Accounts, real property, and even sentimental items may be bequeathed to individuals, groups, or organizations. An estate plan can help a decedent’s loved ones (and the appropriate probate court) determine who gets what after death. Estate plans often […]
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Estate and Gift Tax Update for 2021 - Werner Law Firm

Estate and Gift Tax Update for 2021

POSTED ON: January 4, 2021 BY: Troy Werner
Since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the federal estate tax exemption limit has doubled from $5 million per individual to $10 million per individual (indexed for inflation). This means that the estate and gift tax exemption limit in 2021 will be $11.7 million in 2021, up from $11.58 million in 2020. This […]
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Using a Family LLC for Estate Planning - Werner Law Firm

Using a Family LLC for Estate Planning

POSTED ON: December 29, 2020 BY: Troy Werner
The estate planning process aims to simplify the transfer of assets and properties between generations while minimizing costs and streamlining wherever possible. By default, dying intestate (without a will or any other estate planning documents) means that anything you own will automatically be distributed as per state law. This may not be in your best […]
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Why Our Living Trust Law Firm & Probate Attorneys?

Founded in 1975 by L. Rob Werner and serving California for over 48 years, our dedicated attorneys are available for clients, friends, and family members to receive the legal help they need and deserve. You can trust in our experience and reputation to help navigate you through your unique legal matters.

Whether you need help creating a living trust or navigating probate, our living trust law firm's compassionate team of estate planning lawyers and probate lawyers are here to help you and ready to answer your questions.

Our goal is to make your case as easy as possible for you. Hiring a lawyer can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. From the moment you contact our firm, through the final resolution of your case, our goal is to make the process easy and understandable. We cannot change the fact that probate is a long and complicated process, but through our Werner Law Firm Difference, we strive to go out of our way to keep you informed of your case through every step of the way. We are constantly refining our processes and procedures for a more streamlined and calm client experience. Our goal is to have you feel like a burden was lifted from your shoulders, and that we made the whole process an easy one

If you're dealing with a legal matter, we urge you to schedule a free initial appointment today and join the many satisfied clients who have contacted Werner Law Firm.

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The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. See full disclaimer here.
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