Passing It On: Estate Planning for Families

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 California How probate works (and how to avoid it!) The differences in privacy, control, and timing between wills and trusts How to protect your loved ones and keep your estate out of court If you own real estate in California, have children, or want to avoid the stress and cost of probate, this episode is a must-listen. 🔗 Learn more and schedule your free estate planning strategy session: 👉 https://www.ocestateplanlawyer.com About Michael Pevney: Michael Pevney is a California estate planning attorney and the founder of Pevney Estate Planning, PC, located at 25201 Paseo de Alicia, Suite 140, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. He helps families across California create wills, trusts, and complete estate plans that protect what matters most. 💬 Got questions about wills, trusts, or your own estate plan? Visit the link above to schedule your free consultation and get started.

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 day. 👋 My name is Michael Pevney, and I'm an estate planning attorney based in Orange County. At my firm, Pevney Estate Planning, PC, I create estate plans for California families so they can protect what they've worked hard to build. Here's what you'll learn in this video: • How probate works in California • Why it's not just about a will • Why verbal promises to family won't hold up in court • How a revocable living trust can save your loved ones time, money, and stress • Why privacy, control, and timing matter when it comes to your estate 💡 If you're a homeowner in California and don't have a trust, your estate will most likely go through probate — which can take 18+ months and cost up to $46,000 for a $1 million home. Let's make sure that doesn't happen to your family. 📞 Ready to avoid probate and protect your legacy? You can schedule a free strategy session with me directly at: 👉 https://www.ocestateplanlawyer.com 🗣️ Got a question about estate planning? Drop it in the comments — I often answer questions there, and sometimes even in future videos. ⸻ 📌 Pevney Estate Planning, PC 📍 25201 Paseo de Alicia, Suite 140, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 🌐 https://www.ocestateplanlawyer

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 risky, and how you can protect your family by creating a proper estate plan. You'll learn: The problems with handwritten wills What happened in Aretha Franklin's estate battle The difference between wills and trusts How to make sure your wishes are truly honored   📍 For California residents: Schedule your free estate planning strategy session at www.ocestateplanlawyer.com. #EstatePlanning #LivingTrust #FillThatBucket #FinancialFreedom #Pevney #OrangeCounty

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 time and cash. Trust = control + privacy – keep full authority while you're alive, then transfer the house seamlessly when you're gone. 🎯 California residents—lock in your FREE Estate Planning Strategy Session: calendly.com/mpevney/strategysession ℹ️ More tools at ocestateplanlawyer.com

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 short) • The big advantages of a revocable living trust: privacy, probate avoidance, and airtight control—even if you're disinheriting family members • Key wording tips to prevent challenges when you choose non-traditional heirs 🎯 California residents—book your FREE Estate Planning Strategy Session: calendly.com/mpevney/strategysession ℹ️ More resources at ocestateplanlawyer.com #EstatePlanning #LivingTrust #FillThatBucket #Pevney #financialfreedom #orangecounty  

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 when no one knows who actually owns the house. • The cleaner alternative: funding a revocable living trust so title passes instantly (and privately) to the next generation. 🎯 California listeners—claim your FREE Estate Planning Strategy Session: calendly.com/mpevney/strategysession #EstatePlanning #LivingTrust #FillThatBucket #Pevney #financialfreedom #orangecounty  

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 relatives—out of your legacy • real-world dollar thresholds where probate pain outweighs DIY savings • easy steps to fund the trust so every account and property follows your instructions. Bottom line: even without kids, a streamlined estate plan keeps your wealth on the path you choose. 🎯 California residents—grab your FREE Estate Planning Strategy Session: calendly.com/mpevney/strategysession ℹ️ More resources at ocestateplanlawyer.com #EstatePlanning #LivingTrust #FillThatBucket #Pevney #financialfreedom #orangecounty  

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 what goes wrong when people mingle funds. • Offshore strategies for the 1 % – when exotic trusts make sense, and why most families can skip them. You'll also hear real-life cautionary tales—like teens crashing cars and landlords getting sued—and how a well-funded living trust keeps probate judges and creditors at bay. 🎯 California residents—book your FREE Estate Planning Strategy Session: calendly.com/mpevney/strategysession ℹ️ More resources: ocestateplanlawyer.com

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 missing state-specific tweaks. • Hire a qualified estate-planning attorney. The priciest option up front, but it custom-fits your family's goals, plugs tax leaks, and keeps your plan court-proof. We'll walk through cost ranges, common pitfalls, and the key checkpoints—funding the trust, titling real estate, updating beneficiary designations—that make or break each approach. 🎯 California listeners—secure your FREE Estate Planning Strategy Session: calendly.com/mpevney/strategysession ℹ️ Explore more resources at www.ocestateplanlawyer.com

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 cover insurance and liability pitfalls, the trust-vs-will showdown for vehicle transfers, and why a properly funded trust can spare your heirs the hassle of California's probate courts. Less paperwork, smoother insurance claims, and rock-solid protection if a teenager totals the car—tune in for the full roadmap. 🎯 California residents—book your FREE 30-minute Estate Planning Strategy Session: calendly.com/mpevney/strategysession ℹ️ Learn more at www.ocestateplanlawyer.com

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 in your trust (or adding a pay-on-death tag that matches the trust) keeps probate and infighting at bay • Real-world cautionary tales where a verbal "I'll divide it" splintered relationships—and assets 🎯 California residents—lock in your FREE Estate Planning Strategy Session here: calendly.com/mpevney/strategysession

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 into the trust's "bucket" • Why joint ownership with a child can backfire—big time • Key probate-avoidance tips that keep inheritances fast, private, and fee-light 🎯 California listeners—book your FREE Estate Planning Strategy Session here: calendly.com/mpevney/strategysession

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 (and its extra fees). 🎯 California residents—claim your FREE Estate Planning Strategy Session here: calendly.com/mpevney/strategysession

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 your property out of probate, maintains your full control while you're alive, and speeds inheritance to your chosen beneficiaries. Ready to put these steps into action? California residents can claim a free Estate Planning Strategy Session here → https://www.ocestateplanlawyer.com

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'll learn: How a living trust keeps you in full control as trustee while you're alive The simple deed-transfer step that "drops" your home into the trust's bucket Real-world examples from families who avoided probate entirely Common myths about wills vs. trusts—and why one small document change can save your heirs months in court Ready to lock in peace of mind and safeguard your biggest asset? California residents can book a complimentary strategy session today.  https://calendly.com/mpevney/strategysession

👉 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 during trust or probate administration, why your estate—not your heirs—is responsible for paying creditors, and how your inheritance can never go "negative." I also talk about why setting up a revocable living trust is one of the best ways to protect your assets and control how things are distributed. Don't let internet myths or TikTok scare tactics fool you—your legacy isn't defined by debt. #EstatePlanning #LivingTrust #DebtMyths #InheritancePlanning #AvoidProbate #TrustAttorney #CaliforniaEstateLaw #FinancialFreedom #FillThatBucket #EstateAdministration #TrustSetup

👉 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 so can send your estate straight to probate court, even if you thought you had everything in place. I also cover common mistakes people make when setting up their trusts, how to avoid them, and what a properly funded trust actually looks like in California. If your goal is to avoid probate, protect your family, and make your estate plan work when it matters most, don't miss this one. #EstatePlanning #LivingTrust #TrustFunding #AvoidProbate #RevocableTrust #TrustChecklist #TrustAdministration #TrustSetup #RealEstateTrust #CaliforniaEstateLaw #FillThatBucket #FinancialFreedom

👉 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. I talk about why most of my clients prefer using a trust over a will, how it helps avoid probate, and how to ensure your legacy reflects your values and priorities. Your plan, your choice. #EstatePlanning #LivingTrust #CaliforniaEstateLaw #AvoidProbate #RevocableTrust #TrustAttorney #WillsAndTrusts #InheritancePlanning #PersonalLegacy #FillThatBucket #FinancialFreedom #OrangeCountyLawyer

👉 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 and clearly using tools like joint ownership, beneficiary designations, wills, and especially revocable living trusts. You'll also learn how to disinherit family members and why trusts offer more control, privacy, and probate protection than a simple will. #EstatePlanning #LivingTrust #CaliforniaLawyer #Disinheritance #LeavePropertyToFriend #RevocableTrust #AvoidProbate #BeneficiaryDesignations #EstatePlanForNonRelatives #WillsAndTrusts #TrustAttorney #FillThatBucket

👉 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 company to prove who the trustee is. No court, no probate, no delays. I cover how estate planning with a living trust streamlines real estate transactions, avoids costly probate in California, and makes life easier for trustees, homeowners, and real estate professionals alike. #EstatePlanning #LivingTrust #SellAHomeInTrust #TrustAdministration #RealEstateCalifornia #AvoidProbate #TrusteeDuties #RevocableTrust #HomeSales #CaliforniaEstateLaw #FillThatBucket