Scott P. Schomer, Esq. has been selected for inclusion in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers in America for Trusts and Estates in Los Angeles. This is Scott's first Best Lawyers recognition, and it places him among the top 5 percent of attorneys nationwide who earn this distinction. What Best Lawyers in America Recognizes Best Lawyers in America is one of the oldest and most respected peer-review guides in the legal profession. Unlike advertising-based rankings, attorneys cannot apply or pay … [Read more...] about Scott Schomer Named to Best Lawyers in America for Trusts and Estates
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Pizza in the Attic: What Legacy Planning Actually Looks Like
Danny lived in his mother-in-law’s attic for the better part of a year. His business had failed. The house went with it. What he had left was his wife, two young kids, a cot under a slanted ceiling, and pizza on Saturday nights: the one thing the budget could still afford, and the one hour of the week that felt like living instead of surviving. I think about Danny's attic every time a client tells me what they're actually afraid of losing. It's rarely the house. It's rarely the number in … [Read more...] about Pizza in the Attic: What Legacy Planning Actually Looks Like
Can You Recommend a Good Probate Attorney in Los Angeles?
Depends. Do you need someone to file paperwork, or has the family started hiding the silver? Probate starts with death and paperwork, and for a while that is all it is. Then somebody finds an old will in a desk drawer. A trustee stops returning calls. An account comes up light. A stepchild remembers a promise nobody else heard. By the time the lawyers show up, Thanksgiving has turned into a crime scene. For the first kind of case, Los Angeles has plenty of good probate lawyers built for … [Read more...] about Can You Recommend a Good Probate Attorney in Los Angeles?
The Estate Plan You Think You Have
“We’re all set. We did our estate plan years ago.” Whenever I hear those words, I know it may be time to open the binder. Sometimes the binder is beautiful: leatherette cover, gold lettering, tabs, enough tabs to suggest that no further human intervention will ever be required. Then we start looking under the hood. They signed the trust in 2008. The house they bought in 2016 is still in their individual names. The successor trustee is now 81 and lives three states away. The children described … [Read more...] about The Estate Plan You Think You Have
How a No Contest Clause Can Help Your California Estate Avoid Probate Litigation
One of the primary objectives of creating a comprehensive estate plan is to ensure that your wishes are carried out efficiently and with as little conflict as possible after you are gone. Unfortunately, even a carefully prepared estate plan can become the subject of probate litigation if an unhappy heir or disappointed beneficiary challenges the validity of your Last Will and Testament or trust. If your estate does become embroiled in litigation, it can cause lengthy delays, increase legal … [Read more...] about How a No Contest Clause Can Help Your California Estate Avoid Probate Litigation
Reasons to Incorporate a Living Trust into My California Estate Plan
Along with creating a roadmap for the distribution of your assets after you are gone, a comprehensive estate plan should protect your property during your lifetime, prepare for the possibility of incapacity, simplify the administration of your estate, and provide clear instructions for your loved ones. While a Last Will and Testament remains an important estate planning document, people often choose to incorporate a revocable living trust into their overall plan as well because of the … [Read more...] about Reasons to Incorporate a Living Trust into My California Estate Plan
What You Need to Know about Funding a Trust in California
Although a Last Will and Testament remains the cornerstone of most estate plans, a trust is a popular addition to a comprehensive plan because a trust is one of most effective ways to protect your assets, provide for your loved ones, and simplify the administration of your estate after your death. Although creating the trust agreement is an important first step, it is not the last step required to create a successful trust. Unfortunately, many people use generic online forms to create a trust … [Read more...] about What You Need to Know about Funding a Trust in California
Estate Planning for Real Estate Owners in California
For many people, real estate represents the single largest purchase they ever make and, therefore, becomes their most valuable asset. Others invest further in real estate by purchasing a vacation home, rental property, commercial real estate, agricultural land, or multiple investment properties. Whether you own a modest single-family home or a complex investment portfolio made up of real estate, those assets deserve special attention when you create or update your estate plan. Unlike financial … [Read more...] about Estate Planning for Real Estate Owners in California
Exit Planning in Your California Estate Plan
Growing a successful business, purchasing investment property, and building wealth often requires decades of careful planning and disciplined decision-making. Eventually, however, you will reach another equally important phase of that journey which involves determining what will happen when it is time to step away. Whether that happens because of incapacity, retirement, or death, a carefully designed exit strategy is crucial to a successful and orderly transition that protects your interests and … [Read more...] about Exit Planning in Your California Estate Plan
Can an Attorney Be a Personal Representative During Probate?
When creating an estate plan, people typically devote considerable attention to deciding who should inherit their assets and how the estate should be distributed, but an equally important decision involves selecting the individual who will administer your estate after your death. That person, known as your Personal Representative, will be responsible for navigating the probate process, protecting estate assets, satisfying creditors, communicating with beneficiaries, and ensuring that your final … [Read more...] about Can an Attorney Be a Personal Representative During Probate?
