In California, charitable trusts are powerful tools for individuals who want to support nonprofit organizations while also receiving tax advantages. By placing assets such as real estate, securities, or cash into a charitable trust, a donor can create a long-term funding source for a chosen charity. The state recognizes charitable trusts under both probate and…

In California, a Generation-Skipping Trust (GST) is a specialized estate planning tool designed to transfer wealth directly to grandchildren or later generations, bypassing the children of the grantor. This strategy is often used to reduce estate taxes and preserve family wealth for multiple generations. By skipping one generation, the assets avoid being taxed twice—once at…

In California, a Qualified Terminable Interest Property (QTIP) trust is often used to provide for a surviving spouse while ensuring that remaining assets are preserved for other beneficiaries, typically children from a prior marriage. This type of trust allows the surviving spouse to receive income from the trust during their lifetime, but limits their control…

In California, a spendthrift trust is a legal arrangement designed to protect a beneficiary’s inheritance from being squandered or seized by creditors. This type of trust restricts the beneficiary’s ability to transfer or pledge their interest in the trust before actually receiving distributions. By placing limits on how and when funds are accessed, a spendthrift…

In California, a living trust is one of the most effective tools for avoiding probate, the court-supervised process of administering an estate. Probate can be costly, time-consuming, and public, making it burdensome for families. A properly created and funded living trust allows assets to transfer directly to beneficiaries without court involvement. The trust serves as…