Is Gifting Your House to Your Kids a Tax Mistake?
Deeding your home to your children during your life can hand them a large capital gains tax bill. Here is the basis trap and why inheriting is often better.
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Plain-English guides to California deeds, recording, living trusts, and title changes — from a Registered Legal Document Assistant.
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Does a Name Change Update My Property Deed?
After a name change, your property title still shows the old name until a deed updates it. Here is why the mismatch matters and how it is fixed.
When Should I Change the Successor Trustee?
The trustee you named years ago may no longer be the right choice. Here is when to change a successor trustee and why it must be done formally.
Revocable or Irrevocable Trust: What Is the Difference?
Revocable and irrevocable trusts share a name but serve opposite goals. Here is the real difference and why most families start with a revocable trust.
Why Did the County Recorder Reject My Deed?
A recorder can reject a deed over small formatting errors, and the transfer is not final until it records. Here is what gets deeds bounced and why it matters.
What Is a Pour-Over Will, and Do I Still Need One?
A pour-over will is the backup that catches anything left out of your trust. Here is what it does, what it cannot do, and why a trust still needs one.
What Is a Cloud on Title, and Why Does It Appear?
A cloud on your title can stall a sale or refinance without warning. Here is what causes one, why it surfaces late, and how a corrective deed fits.
Do I Need to Update My Trust After Having a Baby?
A new child does not automatically appear in your trust. Here is why a growing family is a signal to update the plan and how the change is made.
What Assets Should Go in a Living Trust?
A living trust only protects what you put in it. Here is which assets belong in a California trust and which pass a different way entirely.
Can I Go Back to My Former Name After Divorce?
Restoring a former name after divorce is common, but the timing and paperwork matter. Here is how it works and what to do if the judgment did not cover it.