How do you protect your children with an estate plan ?
UCLA Health has opened a new pediatrics clinic in Porter Ranch in response to the area’s growing demand for world class care.
Porter Ranch is also where I bought my first house. The Heights. Just up the hill from the Y. Famous for its winds. 25 years later, they've finally located my trash cans.
The neighborhood's population has grown 30% since 2000 , and families are moving here for the schools, the parks, and the safety .
Putting aside probate — your home, your rental properties, your business — a complete estate plan is nothing without a provision for guardianship.
Have you thought about who would take care of your kids if something happened to both of you?
If your siblings live out of state — or out of the country — it's time to text your bestie. See if they'd even take on that responsibility.
In California, if you die without naming a guardian, the court decides. A judge you've never met will choose who raises your children . Not your sister. Not your parents. Not your best friend. A stranger in a black robe.
Who should you name as trustees of your trust ?
You've set up a trust. Good. Now who's in charge when you can't be?
Most people name their spouse first. That makes sense. But what if you both die in a car accident? What if your spouse is already struggling with their own health?
Then you name a successor trustee.
Here's where it gets tricky.
Your mother-in-law loves you. She also has strong opinions about how you manage money. Do you really want her managing your kids' inheritance?
Your elderly parents mean well. They also struggle with online banking and live in a different time zone.
Your siblings live overseas. They're great for a video call. Not so great for signing probate papers at the Van Nuys courthouse.
Your best friend knows everything about you. But do they know how to manage a rental property? Pay off a mortgage? Distribute assets to your kids without triggering a family fight?
Naming a trustee is like naming a coach. You want someone who knows the playbook, not just someone who likes the team.
So who should you name?
Someone who lives nearby. Someone who's good with numbers. Someone your family actually gets along with. And someone who can say "no" to your mother-in-law when necessary.
Not sure who that is? I can help you think it through.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your trustee selection
Is a HIPAA authorization part of an estate plan ?
Estate planning isn't just about death. Incapacity planning is often overlooked. An advance healthcare directive and HIPAA authorization are essential parts of a complete estate plan. Are you part of the sandwich generation ? Squeezed between elderly parents and younger kids but also worried about your own retirement ? At a minimum, your elderly parents need to have a HIPAA authorization and Advance Health Care Directive. Then you can start the conversation about the living trust, the property, Medi-Cal.
How much does probate cost in Porter Ranch ?
Porter Ranch is one of the most desirable and valuable housing markets in the San Fernando Valley. With a median home price between $1.5 million and $1.6 million, this isn't just where you live—it's the foundation of your family's financial legacy.
However, many families don't realize that California probate fees are calculated on the gross value of your estate. For a home valued at $1.5million, your family could lose over $80,000 in statutory attorney and executor fees before they ever receive their inheritance .
Don't leave your family's legacy up to the court system. A living trust allows you to protect your home's full value, avoid these unnecessary fees, and ensure your wishes are followed, not the state's.
Ready to protect your Porter Ranch home?
Serving Porter Ranch and the Surrounding San Fernando Valley
I help families throughout Porter Ranch, including neighborhoods throughout the S&S developments near the YMCA, Vineyards, or Porter Ranch Town Center.
Whether you live near Rinaldi St., Corbin, or De Soto, I offer flat fee estate planning with no surprises.
Schedule a consultation with a West Hills estate planning attorney. Flat fee. No hourly billing. No surprises.