California A-B Trust, Bypass Trust, and Credit Shelter Trust: A 2026 Guide
Many articles you will find on A-B trusts may be out of date. This structure once dominated California estate planning for married couples with larger estates. It led the field from the 1980s through the early 2010s. Then portability arrived in 2013 and changed the math. Now, in 2026, the A-B trust sits in a […]
Revocable vs Irrevocable Trust in California: Which One Do You Actually Need?
Two words trip up almost everyone who starts estate planning: revocable and irrevocable. The difference really comes down to one idea, which is control. A revocable trust you can change or undo at any time. An irrevocable trust you generally cannot. Here is the honest part most articles skip. For most California families, the right […]
California Standalone Retirement Trust: A Complete Guide (2026)
You spent a working lifetime building a substantial IRA, 401(k), or 403(b), and you always assumed you would name your children as beneficiaries and be done with it. Then the SECURE Act ended the stretch IRA. Today, most heirs must empty an inherited retirement account within ten years, often during their peak earning years and […]
Understanding the Difference between Joint Trust vs Separate Trusts in California in 2026
Confused about whether to have a joint trust vs. separate trusts? California married couples ask us this in nearly every first estate planning meeting. There is no universally correct answer. The right choice depends on your facts. Is this a first marriage? Are your assets mostly community property? Do you have children from a prior […]
California Special Needs Trust: Complete Guide for Families (2026)
You have spent years, sometimes decades, building a life around someone you love who has a disability. Maybe it is a child who needs lifelong care. Maybe a sibling, a parent, or an adult child whose recent personal injury settlement just landed. The question is the same in every case. How do you provide for […]
California Pet Trust: How to Provide for Your Pets After You Die (2026 Guide)
Most California pet owners do not have a clear plan for what happens to their dog, cat, or horse if they die or become unable to provide care. Too often the result is a beloved pet surrendered to a shelter, because no family member is ready to step in and no one knows what the […]
California Trusts: A Complete Guide to All Trust Types in 2026
If you are researching California trusts before sitting down with an attorney, you are in the right place. Opelon LLP has designed more than 700 California trusts from our Carlsbad office. Our team has also administered more than 250 San Diego County estates. California has no state estate tax. But its statutory probate fees are […]
Does 21 Years Still Matter Under the Rule Against Perpetuities in California?
Rule Against Perpetuities is one of the most misunderstood phrases in estate planning, and in California, it rarely works the way people think it does. Many families worry about the famous “21-year rule,” even though modern California law uses a very different approach. Understanding the difference can save your trust from unnecessary complexity and unintended consequences.
Protecting an Estate Beneficiary with Addiction Issues- 7 Tips
Navigate estate planning for a beneficiary with addiction issues in California. Learn to protect their interests with spendthrift trusts and smart strategies.
California Estate Planning Case Study: 21 Real Challenges Solved with Trusts
California estate planning case study overview: Every California family faces unique challenges when it comes to protecting assets, reducing taxes, and planning for the unexpected. These 21 real-world scenarios show how trusts and targeted strategies solve problems that generic plans simply cannot address.