Trust Administration: What to Do When a Trustee Is Not Acting in Accordance With the Trust
What does trust administration involve, and what is a trustee legally responsible for once they step into this role? Trust administration involves managing assets and distributing them to beneficiaries according to the terms of the trust. A trustee, once in this role, is legally responsible for collecting assets, notifying beneficiaries, and ensuring distributions align […]
Fiduciaries and Their Role in Estate Planning
What does the term fiduciary mean in the context of an estate plan and why is that role so important? A fiduciary is someone entrusted with a heightened level of responsibility to perform duties faithfully and objectively. In the context of a will or trust, a fiduciary can be a professional who administers the trust […]
Why is it important to review your estate plan periodically?
Regularly reviewing your estate plan is crucial because it is a living document that reflects your wishes and ensures your property goes to the right beneficiaries. Life changes such as deaths, births, acquisitions, and legal changes may necessitate updates every three to five years to keep the plan current and aligned with your intentions. What […]
Trust Administration Explained
What are the very first steps that need to happen when a loved one passes away and there’s a trust in place? When a loved one passes away and there’s a trust in place, the first step is to review the trust document. The trustee, or subsequent trustee, needs to identify themselves and faithfully execute […]
Understanding Conservatorships in California: A Complete Guide for Families
What Is a Conservatorship and When Is It Needed? A conservatorship is a legal process that allows someone to make decisions on behalf of an individual who can no longer care for themselves or manage their own affairs. Adam explains that this often becomes necessary when a person doesn’t have a Power of Attorney or […]
Understanding Powers of Attorney and Healthcare Directives in California: What Every Adult Should Know
What Is a Healthcare Directive and Why Is It Important? A Healthcare Directive, also known as an Advance Healthcare Directive, ensures that medical decisions can be made on a person’s behalf when they’re unable to speak for themselves. Adam explains that many people assume their spouse or child can automatically access their medical records or […]
Understanding Probate and How to Avoid It in California
What Is Probate and Why Does It Exist? Adam Grant explains that probate is a lengthy and often costly legal process used by the court to determine how property and assets are distributed after someone passes away. The court steps in when assets are not otherwise accounted for—typically when they are not included in a […]
Why Estate Planning Is the Best Investment for Protecting Your Legacy
Adam Grant opens the episode by sharing how estate planning became his professional calling. With years of experience in both entertainment law and estate planning, Adam recognized a growing need among younger families to understand how to secure their assets and protect their legacies. He explains that estate planning is often overlooked, particularly among […]
