Tag Archives: Living Trust

Adding Your Child to Your Bank Account is Not Such a Great Idea

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Roger Billings

A common means of avoiding probate is to put your child’s name on all of your accounts. This can create some serious problems, not least of which is if a creditor goes after your child’s assets and is able to … Continue reading →






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Can I Avoid Probate of My House by Holding It in Joint Tenancy?

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Roger Billings

  Joint tenancy might be a convenient estate planning shortcut, but it also brings some undesirable risks. Joint tenancy is a form of ownership of property where two or more people hold title to the property with right of survivorship, … Continue reading →






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What Is So Bad About Probate and Why Should It Be Avoided? – Estate Planning Basics

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Roger Billings

  Again it is time to get back to basics. Avoiding probate is a primary reason to set up a living trust instead of a will . There are several reasons to avoid probate, and in California particularly the reasons … Continue reading →






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What are the Benefits of a Living Trust? – Estate Planning Basics

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Roger Billings

  It is time again to get back to basics. You want an estate plan, but why go to the trouble of setting up a living trust? It may not be a good fit for everyone, but a living trust … Continue reading →






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What is a Living Trust? – Estate Planning Basics

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Roger Billings

  It is time to get back to basics. “Trusts” or “living trusts” are confusing words for many setting up estate plans. Some think a trust is synonomous with a will. Others believe a trust is better than a will, … Continue reading →






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Hidden Perils of Refinancing

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Roger Billings

Be informed when refinancing a home in a living trust. The secret is out. Refinancing contains hidden perils for homes in revocable trusts. Recently I received a call from a client who fortunately had the good sense to question what … Continue reading →






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Unfunded Trusts: Pitfalls for the Unwary

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Roger Billings

Funding the Trust is an essential but often overlooked step towards avoiding a lengthy and expensive probate.  Creating a trust instrument, with all of the appropriate instructions, provisos and expressions of intent, is worse than useless if no step is … Continue reading →






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