Building substantial wealth often requires decades of hard work, disciplined investing, successful business decisions, and careful financial management. While accumulating wealth presents opportunities, it also creates unique estate planning challenges that extend far beyond the concerns faced by the average family. If you have a high net worth, a basic estate plan may not adequately address the complexities associated with preserving, protecting, and transferring significant assets. For … [Read more...] about High Net Worth Estate Planning in California
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Best of LA 2026: Schomer Estate and Wealth Advisors Named a Top Trusts and Estates Law Firm
We are proud to announce that Schomer Estate and Wealth Advisors has been named a Best of LA 2026 honoree by Los Angeles Magazine in the Trusts and Estates category. This recognition reflects our team's ongoing commitment to helping Los Angeles families protect what matters most through thoughtful estate planning, trust administration, and elder law services. You may find the magazine here: https://lamag.com/best-of-l-a-legal-2026/. What Is Best of LA? Each year, Los Angeles Magazine … [Read more...] about Best of LA 2026: Schomer Estate and Wealth Advisors Named a Top Trusts and Estates Law Firm
Probate Laws in California: What You Need to Know
Probate is the legal process that is typically required to administer, and eventually distribute, the estate of a decedent. Understanding California probate laws is important whether you are creating an estate plan, serving as an Executor, or expecting to inherit property. If you are unfamiliar with the probate process, it can seem overwhelming. It can also be time-consuming and expensive in some situations, while other estates may qualify for simplified procedures that reduce costs and … [Read more...] about Probate Laws in California: What You Need to Know
When Estate Planning Documents Say One Thing—and Mean Another
Two recent conversations at Summit, one about blended family planning and one about trust language, highlight a challenge that shows up more often than attorneys might expect: clients and even attorneys sometimes read estate planning documents more literally than the drafters intended. This article explores how terms like "equal" and "irrevocable" can create real confusion and why helping clients understand how a plan actually functions matters just as much as how carefully it was drafted. … [Read more...] about When Estate Planning Documents Say One Thing—and Mean Another
Spring Summit 2026: Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler
The best Estate Planners stay current on the latest trends. The American Academy of Estate Planning held its semi-annual conference providing education and learning for and inspiring excellence in its Members. Continue reading to learn more about the unique experience at the conference. … [Read more...] about Spring Summit 2026: Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler
What Financial Mistakes Should Families Avoid When Planning for a Loved One with Special Needs in California?
Planning for the long-term care and financial security of a loved one with special needs involves considerations that extend far beyond traditional estate planning. While many families understandably focus on providing financial support and stability to loved ones with special needs, well-intentioned decisions can sometimes interfere with eligibility for essential government benefits or create legal and administrative complications that undermine the very protections parents or relatives … [Read more...] about What Financial Mistakes Should Families Avoid When Planning for a Loved One with Special Needs in California?
How to Reduce the Risk of Probate Litigation in California
You may assume that once your estate plan is signed, your wishes will be carried out without resistance. In reality, however, disputes over Wills and trusts arise frequently, even when documents appear thorough and well organized. Family dynamics, perceived unfairness, and confusion about your intentions can all lead to litigation that drains assets and damages relationships. In California, where probate and trust administration can already involve detailed procedures and oversight, conflict can … [Read more...] about How to Reduce the Risk of Probate Litigation in California
Probate Avoidance Tools and Strategies for Your California Estate Plan
Estate planning allows you to direct how your property is managed during your lifetime and transferred after death, providing clarity, continuity, and financial security for those you care about. When you build an estate plan, one of the central considerations should be whether your estate will pass through probate. Although probate serves an important legal function, ensuring debts are addressed and assets are distributed properly, it can also introduce delays, administrative burdens, and … [Read more...] about Probate Avoidance Tools and Strategies for Your California Estate Plan
Essential Steps in California Trust Administration
Trusts have become a cornerstone of modern estate planning because they provide flexibility, privacy, and substantial control over the management and distribution of assets. Establishing a trust, though, represents only the beginning of the process. The long-term effectiveness of the trust depends heavily on the person or institution chosen to serve as Trustee and errors made during administration may expose the Trustee to personal liability, create conflict among beneficiaries, delay … [Read more...] about Essential Steps in California Trust Administration
Understanding Estate Litigation in California
When a loved one passes away, the administration of their estate is often expected to proceed in an orderly and efficient manner. In California, that process frequently involves probate, which is the court-supervised procedure used to identify assets, pay debts and taxes, and ultimately distribute property to heirs and beneficiaries. While probate exists to provide structure and legal oversight, the reality is that disputes frequently arise during estate administration, particularly when … [Read more...] about Understanding Estate Litigation in California
