Christina Garcia

10/29/2024

How many blazers should an estate planning attorney keep in their office?

I have 5. I have black, dark grey, light grey, blue, and tweed.

5 might be too many, but in life and in estate planning, I plan for everything. 😅🤣🤣

10/21/2024

Power

10/20/2024

Spacious 3bd 2ba property, with SOLAR, is on the market near Euclid Ave. and the 94. Close to Downtown and La Mesa.

Had some hiccups working with a realor who didn't know about Probate Court, but title is good now, and the hiccups could be your gain. Does need repairs, but message me for more details if interested.

Avoiding hiccups for your loved ones is why you work with an attorney now to put your home in Trust now.

Since this home wasn't properly titled in Trust, unfortunately, the seller has had a stressful year without proper representation and guidance.

08/11/2024

I know why Professor X created a Last Will and Testament...

**

You create a Will when you want your family fighting for the next 12-15 months in court and spending tens of thousands of dollars in attorney and court fees.

Wills are public documents. While Professor X may have trusted his executor, he planned the chaos that ensued.

Had Professor X executed a Living Trust, his wishes would have been private, and the time and expense in court would have been avoided.

Don't be like Professor X; don't create chaos. Talk to an estate planning attorney about the benefits of a properly executed estate plan that fits your goals and protects your loved ones.

-men

04/05/2024

The Gentlemen would be a very boring show if after the Will reading, they spent the next 3 years or so in Probate Court waiting for a judge to sign off on the Will distribution.

I'll say it once, and I'll say it again, ALL WILLS GO TO PROBATE.

One of the only ways to avoid Probate Court and the $$ fees $$ that go with it is to execute a Living Trust.



(For CA educational purposes only, not legal advice)

09/23/2023

Hanging out at the California Lawyers Association Conference downtown.

09/23/2023

Such a cloudy day for a conference, but still beautiful.

06/24/2023

Go Padres!! 🧢⚾️⚾️

04/10/2023

I don't have the heart to tell him he doesn't fit in this bed anymore... ❤️😅

04/09/2023

02/10/2023

There are many reasons to not transfer anything to your children now. Instead of a transfer now, put the asset into a Trust. If you are no longer able to manage the property, that's fine, you can appoint them in the trust to manage it for you. Transferring the property now can have unforeseen tax consequences. Additionally, it subject's the property to your children's creditors. Even if they are "good with money", if they are found liable in, let's say, a car accident, the injured party could come after your home to playoff your child's debts. Talk to an attorney before making any big decisions like this, especially when it comes to your home. I had a client take the "do it yourself" route recently with his deed before their mom passed, now they are in probate, paying thousands in fees, and may lose 25% of their home in the process.

02/10/2023

Yes, there are paralegals, CPAs, and legal drafters who will create your trust. Even some attorneys who do not focus on estate planning will add estate planning to their list of services they provide. Unfortunately, quite often you get what you pay for and you might not even know it won't work until it's too late. It is generally recommended to have your trust reviewed every 3-5 years. Either by the person who drafted it, or someone else who will give you a real opinion. Be careful, some attorneys who offer reviews will always tell you that you HAVE to get a new one.... Go with your gut. If you are completely confused and feel pressured, don't sign anything, take some time to think about it. Trusts are written in legalese, which is basically another language, but a good attorney should be able to "translate" it for you. Also, if there is something wrong with your current trust the reviewer should be able to point out and specifically explain what is wrong (not just preferences like formatting, but actual missing or incorrect information).