Insights
Case Study: Strategic Entity Restructuring and Disclaimers Save a $75 Million Estate
When managing high-value California real estate portfolios, property tax reassessment represents an existential financial risk. The following case study demonstrates how combining entity operating agreement
Trust Administration Pitfalls: Present Beneficial Ownership, Sprinkle Powers, and Disclaimer Deadlines
When a property owner passes away, trust administration commences immediately. While federal estate tax and probate administration receive substantial attention, property tax reassessment risks present
California Joint Tenancy Traps: ‘Original Transferors,’ ‘Freeloaders,’ and Title Pitfalls
Adding a child or co-owner to a deed as a joint tenant is frequently used as a quick method to avoid probate. However, under California
Real Estate in Legal Entities: Navigating LLCs, Partnerships, and the 51% Reassessment Trap
Holding California real estate inside a Limited Liability Company (LLC), family partnership, or corporation provides invaluable liability protection. However, under California property tax law, legal
Navigating Proposition 19: The Complete Guide to California Parent-Child & Senior Property Transfers
When Proposition 19 took effect on February 16, 2021, it fundamentally reshaped California estate planning and property tax management. By repealing the broad, flexible protections
Freezing Stolen Assets in 72 Hours: Emergency Orders, Trustee Suspension, and 3-Day Bank Holds
The Race Against Asset Dissipation When a rogue trustee, bad-faith caregiver, or coercive relative begins draining liquid accounts or transferring real property, standard trial timelines
When the Founder Goes Dark: Business Incapacity, Governance Warfare, and Testamentary vs. Decisional Capacity
The Operational Myth of the Living Trust When a founder, CEO, or managing member suffers a sudden medical catastrophe — a stroke, an acute trauma,
How Case Law Continually Reshapes California Probate and Trust Practice
In California probate court, the Probate Code is just the beginning. Each year, appellate decisions refine, and sometimes rewrite, how the law is interpreted and enforced.
Haggerty v. Thornton, 68 Cal.App.5th 1003 (2024)
Attorney Oleg Cross prevailed in a California Supreme Court case on behalf…
Understanding Portability in Estate Planning: What Every Family Should Know
This article is part of our ongoing series on the basics of estate planning. One of the most important yet often overlooked concepts in this
“Common Pot” Trusts and Family Values
By Oleg Cross, Esq. Most people are motivated to create an estate plan to take care of their children. Indeed, the overarching purpose of estate
Estate Planning: The Basics
As business professionals, creating plans and putting them into action is a part of everyday life. We plan everything from our meals, to our weekly
Trust Administration Pitfalls: Present Beneficial Ownership, Sprinkle Powers, and Disclaimer Deadlines
When a property owner passes away, trust administration commences immediately. While federal estate tax and probate administration receive substantial attention, property tax reassessment risks present
California Joint Tenancy Traps: ‘Original Transferors,’ ‘Freeloaders,’ and Title Pitfalls
Adding a child or co-owner to a deed as a joint tenant is frequently used as a quick method to avoid probate. However, under California
Real Estate in Legal Entities: Navigating LLCs, Partnerships, and the 51% Reassessment Trap
Holding California real estate inside a Limited Liability Company (LLC), family partnership, or corporation provides invaluable liability protection. However, under California property tax law, legal
Navigating Proposition 19: The Complete Guide to California Parent-Child & Senior Property Transfers
When Proposition 19 took effect on February 16, 2021, it fundamentally reshaped California estate planning and property tax management. By repealing the broad, flexible protections
Freezing Stolen Assets in 72 Hours: Emergency Orders, Trustee Suspension, and 3-Day Bank Holds
The Race Against Asset Dissipation When a rogue trustee, bad-faith caregiver, or coercive relative begins draining liquid accounts or transferring real property, standard trial timelines
When the Founder Goes Dark: Business Incapacity, Governance Warfare, and Testamentary vs. Decisional Capacity
The Operational Myth of the Living Trust When a founder, CEO, or managing member suffers a sudden medical catastrophe — a stroke, an acute trauma,
Understanding Portability in Estate Planning: What Every Family Should Know
This article is part of our ongoing series on the basics of estate planning. One of the most important yet often overlooked concepts in this
Case Study: Strategic Entity Restructuring and Disclaimers Save a $75 Million Estate
When managing high-value California real estate portfolios, property tax reassessment represents an existential financial risk. The following case study demonstrates how combining entity operating agreement
How Case Law Continually Reshapes California Probate and Trust Practice
In California probate court, the Probate Code is just the beginning. Each year, appellate decisions refine, and sometimes rewrite, how the law is interpreted and enforced.
Haggerty v. Thornton, 68 Cal.App.5th 1003 (2024)
Attorney Oleg Cross prevailed in a California Supreme Court case on behalf…
