In Trusts We Trust
Let’s talk estate planning—not the most glamorous topic, but arguably one of the most important conversations we can have as homeowners.
If you own property in your personal name and haven’t yet placed it into a living trust, you could be unintentionally setting your family up for a long, expensive, and emotionally draining process down the road: probate.
What is Probate, and Why Do People Try to Avoid It?
Probate is the legal process your assets go through after you pass away if they’re not held in a trust. It involves the courts, attorneys, paperwork, fees, and time—lots of time.
We’re talking:
6–18 months (or more) before your loved ones can access what you’ve left behind
Attorney and court fees that can total 4-7% of your estate
Public records and court filings that open your estate up to scrutiny
Delays, stress, and potential disputes during an already emotional time
It’s a scenario no one wants to leave their family with. And the good news? It’s preventable.
Why a Living Trust is a Smart Move
By placing your property in a revocable living trust, you create a simple legal mechanism that avoids probate altogether. The assets in your trust can be transferred directly to your designated beneficiaries with minimal delay, cost, or complication.
Some key benefits:
No court involvement
No public record
Immediate access to funds or property by your heirs
Continuity in managing the property if you become incapacitated
Flexibility to make changes to the trust while you're still living
In short: it’s peace of mind for you and the people you care about.
Let’s Get Local
in the hollywood Hills, there are over 2,700 Homeowners that hold property in their personal names without a trust in place, Nearly 20% are over the age of 80. That’s a lot of families who could Soon be facing a complicated, costly and emotionally taxing probate process—simply because no one brought it up. So, consider this your nudge. If you or someone you care about owns real estate and hasn’t created a trust, now is the time. It's one of those things that’s easy to put off—until it’s suddenly not.
MY takeaway:
It’s Never Too Early, But It Can Be Too Late. Estate planning is one of those things people tend to delay, usually because it feels overwhelming, unnecessary or uncomfortable—until it suddenly becomes urgent. I can’t tell you how often I’ve seen families struggle with legal processes that could’ve been avoided with a little planning.
If you’re a homeowner—regardless of age—it’s worth asking yourself:
“If something happened to me tomorrow, would my loved ones have to go through probate to inherit what I’ve worked for?” If the answer is yes or “I’m not sure,” it’s time to take action.
