You Prioritize Your Health—But Is Your Estate Plan in Shape Too?

You Prioritize Your Health—But Is Your Estate Plan in Shape Too?

Because peace of mind is part of living well.

You eat healthy. You stay active. You take supplements, get checkups, and do what you can to stay ahead of any health issues.

But here’s the question most people forget to ask:

If something unexpected happened tomorrow, would your family know what to do?

Most people don’t think about estate planning until they’re forced to. But just like with your health, the best outcomes happen when you're proactive—not in a crisis.

A Living Trust Is Like Preventative Care

Because the truth is, a living trust done right is a form of preventative care—not just for your money, but for the people who count on you.

A good estate plan does for your legacy what wellness does for your body:

• Reduces risk
  
  
• Keeps things functioning smoothly
  
  
• Helps your family avoid unnecessary stress, pain, and confusion
  
  

Without a trust, your family could face:

• Probate court delays (14–18 months in California, sometimes longer)
  
  
• Frozen bank accounts
  
  
• Delayed access to your home or business
  
  
• Legal fees that drain what you intended to leave behind
  
  
• Public court records and family tension

A living trust doesn’t just avoid probate. It keeps your assets moving, your wishes clear, and your family out of court and conflict.

Compare that to the alternative:

• Frozen accounts
  
  
• Delayed real estate sales
  
  
• Tens of thousands in fees
  
  
• Public court records
  
  
• Family members forced to make decisions with no guidance

Have a Will? That’s Not Enough

This surprises a lot of people:

A will still goes through probate. It’s the living trust, when done correctly, that actually avoids court.

Here’s what a living trust can do that a will can’t:

• Keep your family out of probate court
  
  
• Work if you become incapacitated—not just after you die
  
  
• Keep your financial affairs private
  
  
• Help your family avoid unnecessary taxes, legal fees, and delays
  
  

If you own a home, have children, or run a business, a trust isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential.

What About Property Taxes in California?

Let’s clear something up:

Putting your home in a trust won’t automatically protect it from reassessment.

Thanks to Prop 19, property tax protection between parents and children is limited. Unless the person inheriting your home moves in and files a timely exemption, your property may be reassessed at full market value.

This makes strategic planning more important than ever—especially for families with real estate.

We coordinate with your tax advisor to build a plan that fits your goals and avoids surprises.

Already Have a Trust? Make Sure It’s Funded—and Current

A trust that’s never been funded (meaning your assets were never moved into it) won’t work when it’s needed. It’s like paying for a gym membership you never use.

We see this all the time:

• The trust exists, but the house, bank accounts, or business aren’t in it
  
  
• The people named to help (like trustees or guardians) are outdated
  
  
• Major life changes—like divorce, remarriage, or a new child—haven’t been reflected
  
  

We offer support to:

• Fund your trust properly
  
  
• Organize your asset info
  
  
• Provide ongoing guidance so the plan stays up to date

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‍Your Life Changes With Time —So Should Your Estate Plan‍

Wellness Changes—So Should Your Estate Plan

If you’ve made any major life changes recently, it’s time to revisit your plan:

• Bought a new property
  
  
• Had a child or grandchild
  
  
• Started or sold a business
  
  
• Got married, divorced, or moved in with a partner
  
  
• Received an inheritance
  
  

Think of it like updating your health goals or switching your workout routine. Your estate plan should grow with you.

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☕ Want to Talk—Over Tea?

I created Tea & Trusts as a relaxed, story-rich event where you can learn what your estate plan should really do—without pressure, legal jargon, or overwhelm.

We’ll walk through:

• What a living trust actually does (and doesn’t)
  
  
• How to avoid probate in California
  
  
• The biggest mistakes I see—and how to fix them
  
  
• How to make sure your plan reflects your values and protects your loved ones
  
  

📍 Reserve Your Seat Here »

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This article is a service of Blue Pinnacle Law, PC. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Lighthouse Legacy Planning Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Lighthouse Legacy Planning Session at (310) 363-0446.

The content is believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.