Your estate plan should reflect your life—not your past. If you’ve experienced changes in relationships, assets, or the law, your plan might be outdated. In this blog, we walk through 7 signs your California estate plan may need a refresh and how to keep it working for you and your loved ones.

Including your IRA or 401(k) in your estate plan isn’t about changing ownership now—it’s about making sure your beneficiary designations align with your overall plan. Without proper coordination, your retirement accounts could trigger unnecessary taxes, delays, or even court involvement. This blog explains when to name individuals, when a trust may make sense, and how to protect your loved ones under the SECURE Act’s 10-year rule.

Planning for your children’s future isn’t just about finances—it’s about ensuring they’re raised by the right people and supported with the resources they need. If you have minor children, estate planning means making critical decisions now so a judge doesn’t make them for you later. In California, parents can legally name guardians, set up trusts to protect a child’s inheritance, and avoid costly court involvement through thoughtful planning. This guide walks you through what happens if you don’t name a guardian, how to do it legally, and how trusts can provide both structure and security for your child’s future—giving you peace of mind that your children will be cared for, no matter what.

Irrevocable trusts are powerful tools in California estate planning, offering asset protection, tax minimization, and long-term care planning opportunities. Unlike revocable trusts, these trusts cannot be altered once created—making them ideal for safeguarding wealth, preserving Medi-Cal eligibility, and supporting loved ones with special needs. In this article, Devey Law explores when irrevocable trusts make sense, how they work, and what to consider before including one in your estate plan.

Proposition 19 has drastically changed how real estate is inherited in California—especially when passing property to children or grandchildren. What was once a straightforward way to preserve low property taxes within families is now a complex process with strict deadlines, residency requirements, and value caps. If your estate plan involves real estate, this law could have significant financial consequences. Learn how Prop 19 affects parent-child transfers, why many older plans are now outdated, and what you can do to protect your family’s home and legacy.

Estate planning often involves preparing for the possibility that you may one day become unable to manage your own affairs. In California, a well-crafted revocable living trust includes provisions for what happens if the person who created the trust (the settlor) becomes incapacitated. A key question is how to determine incapacity: Should your successor trustee be allowed to declare you incapacitated and take over without a doctor’s certification?

Incapacity can happen when you least expect it. In California, both a revocable living trust and a durable power of attorney (DPOA) can help avoid court involvement and ensure someone you trust can manage your affairs. But not all trusts include the right provisions for incapacity. This blog explains how these two tools work, their key differences, and why having both—properly drafted—is essential for a complete incapacity plan.