In this episode, I'm diving into one of the most important — and often misunderstood — parts of estate planning: choosing the right successor trustee. This isn't about who gets your assets. It's about who gives them out, and whether they're equipped to do it properly, fairly, and without conflict.

I explain:

• What a trustee is actually responsible for after you pass

• Why I don't serve as a trustee for my clients — and why your lawyer probably shouldn't either

• A real story from a client who realized too late that naming their attorney as trustee didn't feel right

• Better options to consider: adult children, trusted friends, professional fiduciaries, or banks

• How separating the roles of legal advisor and trust administrator helps your family avoid conflict

If you've already set up a trust, this is a great reminder to check who you've listed as trustee. If you haven't, this is the kind of thing that can make or break your estate plan.

📍 I'm Michael Pevney, an estate planning attorney in Orange County, California. I help families across the state protect their assets, avoid probate, and create peace of mind through clear, customized estate plans.

💻 Need help reviewing or updating your plan?

Book a free strategy session at: https://www.ocestateplanlawyer.com

📍 Pevney Estate Planning, PC

25201 Paseo de Alicia, Suite 140, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Most brides don't wear their mom's wedding dress. Why not? It's sentimental, meaningful… and yet, rarely used.

In this episode, I'll explain what this has to do with estate planning, family homes, and why passing down property the wrong way can create major conflict between siblings when a parent passes away.

👋 I'm Michael Pevney, estate planning attorney and founder of Pevney Estate Planning, PC, based in Orange County, California. I help California families protect their legacy through wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and full estate plans—so that their families stay out of court and out of conflict.

Just like most brides want a wedding that feels uniquely theirs, your kids may not want your home—even if it holds decades of memories. So what happens when you leave it to multiple children? One might want to live there, one wants to sell, and another wants to rent it out. That's where the fights begin.

💡 In this episode, I cover:

• Why emotions play such a big role in estate planning

• The hidden danger of leaving your house to multiple kids

• How to avoid probate and forced home sales

• The best way to pass down real estate in a trust while preserving family harmony

💬 Got a story or a question? Did you or someone you know wear a parent's wedding dress? Planning to pass one down? Share in the comments—and drop your estate planning questions too

📌 Need help with estate planning in California? Schedule a free strategy session today:

👉 https://www.ocestateplanlawyer.com

📍 Pevney Estate Planning, PC

25201 Paseo de Alicia, Suite 140

Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Would your child make wise choices if they inherited $1 million tomorrow? If you're not sure—or if the answer is "definitely not"—this video is for you. I'm Michael Pevney, an estate planning lawyer based in Orange County, California, and today we're talking about spendthrift trusts—one of the most powerful tools in estate planning. A spendthrift trust allows you to leave assets like real estate, life insurance, and financial accounts to your children or loved ones—without giving them total control. That means your legacy stays protected from: • Substance abuse or addiction issues • Gambling or impulsive financial behavior • Divorce settlements • Bankruptcy or lawsuits • And most importantly, from your child's own bad decisions 🧠 With a properly designed spendthrift trust, your child can benefit from your legacy, without putting it at risk. You can set: • Age-based distributions (like 25, 30, 35) • Milestones (graduation, job, sobriety) • Limits on how and when money is accessed • A third-party trustee (your child should not be in control of their own inheritance) Whether your child is financially inexperienced, in a rocky relationship, or facing personal challenges, this type of trust provides control, protection, and peace of mind. ✅ Who should watch this video: • California parents with adult or young adult children • Anyone concerned about a child with addiction, financial irresponsibility, or an unstable partner • Families with real estate, life insurance policies, or other sizable assets 📍 Want to protect your children and your legacy? 🔗 Schedule a free strategy session with me at: 🌐 https://www.ocestateplanlawyer.com 📍 Pevney Estate Planning, PC 25201 Paseo de Alicia, Suite 140 Laguna Hills, CA 92653 💬 Have questions? Leave a comment below — I respond to most estate planning questions, and I've made over 1,000 videos covering common issues. Yours might be next. 📲 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and follow for more estate planning tips!

In this quick estate planning episode, attorney Michael Pevney breaks down whether putting a rental property—or any business—into an LLC makes sense as part of your overall estate plan. Learn why the first layer of protection is always solid insurance, and how creating an LLC adds a powerful second layer to shield your personal assets from business-related liability.

But that's not all: Michael shares a bonus tip on how to avoid probate by placing your LLC into a revocable living trust, helping your loved ones skip the court process when you pass away.

💡 If you own real estate or operate a business, this episode is packed with actionable advice that could save your family thousands in legal fees and headaches.

✅ Topics Covered:

• Why LLCs can protect your personal assets

• What types of insurance you must have first

• Costs and considerations of maintaining an LLC

• How to combine an LLC with a living trust to avoid probate

📍 Estate Planning in Orange County, California

This episode is brought to you by Pevney Estate Planning, PC, located at:

📍 25201 Paseo de Alicia, Suite 140, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

📲 Visit us online to schedule your FREE estate planning strategy session:

👉 https://www.ocestateplanlawyer.com

If you've ever wondered how to add your home to a living trust — especially when there's a mortgage on it — this episode is for you.

I'm Michael Pevney, a California estate planning attorney, and I help families protect their homes, avoid probate, and create peace of mind through solid estate planning. In this episode, I explain the exact steps to transfer your real estate into your living trust — even if you still have a loan.

✅ Here's what you'll learn:

• Whether you need to refinance (hint: you don't)

• What the Garn–St. Germain Act says about mortgages and trusts

• How to properly draft and record a new deed

• What to do with rental or vacation properties

• How to avoid triggering a due-on-sale clause

Whether you live in California or another state, this is crucial information for any homeowner who wants to keep their property out of probate and make things easier for their loved ones.

📍 I've helped hundreds of clients place their homes — even out-of-state properties — into their trusts. In this episode, I share best practices so you can confidently do the same.

🔗 Learn more or schedule your free estate planning strategy session:

👉 https://www.ocestateplanlawyer.com

About Michael Pevney:

Michael Pevney is an estate planning attorney and the founder of Pevney Estate Planning, PC, located at 25201 Paseo de Alicia, Suite 140, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. He helps families throughout California create comprehensive estate plans that include wills, trusts, and powers of attorney — ensuring their loved ones are protected for generations.

💬 Have questions about estate planning or living trusts? Visit the link above to connect with Michael and schedule your free consultation.

Confused about whether you need a will or a living trust? In this episode, Michael Pevney, an experienced California estate planning lawyer, breaks down the key differences between the two — so you can make the best decision for protecting your family, your assets, and your legacy.

You'll learn:

• What a Last Will & Testament really does

• Why a Revocable Living Trust often makes more sense in California

• How probate works (and how to avoid it!)

• The differences in privacy, control, and timing between wills and trusts

• How to protect your loved ones and keep your estate out of court

If you own real estate in California, have children, or want to avoid the stress and cost of probate, this episode is a must-listen.

🔗 Learn more and schedule your free estate planning strategy session:

👉 https://www.ocestateplanlawyer.com

About Michael Pevney:

Michael Pevney is a California estate planning attorney and the founder of Pevney Estate Planning, PC, located at 25201 Paseo de Alicia, Suite 140, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. He helps families across California create wills, trusts, and complete estate plans that protect what matters most.

💬 Got questions about wills, trusts, or your own estate plan? Visit the link above to schedule your free consultation and get started.

A lot of people think their family will just automatically get their home or savings if they pass away without a trust — but that's not how it works in California. In this video, I'm walking you through exactly what happens when someone dies without a trust in place. I'll explain the probate process — how long it takes, how much it costs, and why it's something I help my clients avoid every single day. 👋 My name is Michael Pevney, and I'm an estate planning attorney based in Orange County. At my firm, Pevney Estate Planning, PC, I create estate plans for California families so they can protect what they've worked hard to build. Here's what you'll learn in this video: • How probate works in California • Why it's not just about a will • Why verbal promises to family won't hold up in court • How a revocable living trust can save your loved ones time, money, and stress • Why privacy, control, and timing matter when it comes to your estate 💡 If you're a homeowner in California and don't have a trust, your estate will most likely go through probate — which can take 18+ months and cost up to $46,000 for a $1 million home. Let's make sure that doesn't happen to your family. 📞 Ready to avoid probate and protect your legacy? You can schedule a free strategy session with me directly at: 👉 https://www.ocestateplanlawyer.com 🗣️ Got a question about estate planning? Drop it in the comments — I often answer questions there, and sometimes even in future videos. ⸻ 📌 Pevney Estate Planning, PC 📍 25201 Paseo de Alicia, Suite 140, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 🌐 https://www.ocestateplanlawyer

Thinking about writing your will by hand? Think again. In this short episode, attorney Michael Pevney explains why handwritten wills (also called holographic wills) can leave your loved ones in years of conflict. Aretha Franklin's estate turned into a courtroom battle after multiple handwritten wills were found hidden around her home.

Michael breaks down what went wrong, why handwritten wills are risky, and how you can protect your family by creating a proper estate plan.

You'll learn:

• The problems with handwritten wills

• What happened in Aretha Franklin's estate battle

• The difference between wills and trusts

• How to make sure your wishes are truly honored

📍 For California residents: Schedule your free estate planning strategy session at www.ocestateplanlawyer.com.

#EstatePlanning #LivingTrust #FillThatBucket #FinancialFreedom #Pevney #OrangeCounty

Adding a child to your deed or relying on a will feels "simple," but it can spark tax shocks, creditor risk, and a long probate slog. In this quick episode, discover why a revocable living trust is the cleaner, court-free route:

• Joint tenancy pitfalls – capital-gains surprises, liability headaches, and frozen titles if a co-owner dies.

• Why wills still land heirs in probate – and how that drains time and cash.

• Trust = control + privacy – keep full authority while you're alive, then transfer the house seamlessly when you're gone.

🎯 California residents—lock in your FREE Estate Planning Strategy Session: calendly.com/mpevney/strategysession

ℹ️ More tools at ocestateplanlawyer.com

Can a non-relative inherit your house, bank account, or prized guitar collection? Absolutely—if you set things up the right way. In this 7-minute episode, California estate-planning attorney explains:

• Why state law lets you leave assets to anyone—friend, partner, charity—if your documents are crystal-clear

• How joint ownership, beneficiary designations, and wills work (and where they fall short)

• The big advantages of a revocable living trust: privacy, probate avoidance, and airtight control—even if you're disinheriting family members

• Key wording tips to prevent challenges when you choose non-traditional heirs

🎯 California residents—book your FREE Estate Planning Strategy Session: calendly.com/mpevney/strategysession

ℹ️ More resources at ocestateplanlawyer.com

#EstatePlanning #LivingTrust #FillThatBucket #Pevney #financialfreedom #orangecounty