The California POLST Form: What It Is, Who It Is For, and How It Fits Your Estate Plan
If someone just handed you a bright pink form at a parent’s hospital discharge or hospice intake, you are probably holding a California POLST form. A POLST is a medical order signed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. It is meant for people who are already seriously ill or frail. It does a […]
California Living Will: What It Is, What It Is Not, and What You Actually Sign
If you searched for a California living will, you are using the phrase most of us grew up hearing. Here is the short answer: California law does not use the term “living will.” The instructions people mean by it are called an individual health care instruction. Those instructions usually live inside an advance health care […]
Spousal Property Petition California: A Surviving Spouse’s Guide to Probate Code 13650
Losing a spouse is painful enough. Then the practical questions arrive. How do you get the house into your name? What about the bank account that only had your spouse’s name on it? For many surviving spouses, the answer is a Spousal Property Petition under Probate Code Section 13650. It is a court procedure that […]
Estate Planning for Married Couples in San Diego in 2026
Most couples do not start estate planning because they read something frightening. They start because something happened. A baby arrived, you bought a house, or a parent died and you watched the probate. Married couples do not have two plans side by side. You have one plan with two settlors, sometimes two sets of children, […]
How to Get a Power of Attorney in California: A Guide to Every POA Type (2026)
Most California adults need a power of attorney long before they need a will. At Opelon LLP, our Carlsbad firm has drafted more than 700 California estate plans, and every single one includes a coordinated power of attorney. We have also administered over 250 San Diego County estates. That dual experience tells us one thing […]
Complete Guide to California Wills: All Will Types (2026)
If you are researching California wills before talking to an attorney, you are already ahead of many people. At Opelon LLP in Carlsbad, we have designed more than 700 California estate plans. We have also administered more than 250 San Diego County estates. One pattern keeps showing up. Families often assume that having a will […]
Finding a specialized Estate Planning Law Firm in San Diego: 2026 Guide
Imagine receiving a letter from the probate court six months after a loved one’s passing, informing you that your family home and savings are tied up in legal proceedings. Instead of mourning in peace, you find yourself drowning in paperwork, facing hefty legal fees, and enduring emotional strain as disputes over every last asset eat […]
Nevada LLC, Delaware LLC, or Wyoming LLC: Does It Matter for California Residents in 2026?
Finding the best state to form an LLC as a California resident should be simple, but a cottage industry of online promoters has turned it into a confusing sales pitch. The truth is that forming in Wyoming, Nevada, or Delaware costs California residents more money every year, requires compliance in two states instead of one, and delivers zero California tax savings.
How Healthcare Costs Affect Your California Estate Plan (2026)
You have probably seen the headlines claiming you need $300,000 or more saved just for healthcare in retirement. The real number is far less alarming, and what actually matters is how your California estate plan handles medical costs year by year, not all at once.
Joint Tenants vs. Tenants in Common California: Estate Planning in 2026
Joint tenants vs tenants in common in California is one of the most common questions we hear from property owners building an estate plan. The answer depends on your goals for probate avoidance, tax savings, and control over who inherits your share. Here is what California law says about each option and how to choose the right one for your family.