The Lepe Law Firm, a Professional Corporation

The Lepe Law Firm, a Professional Corporation The Law Office of Georgina Lepe provides legal representation in the areas of Real Estate Law, Probate, and Estate Planning.

The Lepe Law Firm provides legal representation in the areas of Estate Planning (Wills & Trusts - preparation, administration, and litigation), Probate Law (administration & litigation), and Real Estate Litigation.

06/03/2026

I don’t watch horror movies.

I practice estate planning, probate, and real estate law.

Why pay to be scared when I can open a client file?

These are just a few of the horror stories that keep showing up in real life. 👻🎬
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CA Legal Advertisement. Not intended as Legal Advice or as Advertisement outside of the State of CA.

Attorney Georgina Lepe
(909) 732-2800
1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Ste A
Claremont, CA 91711

05/31/2026

Not long ago, I wouldn’t have considered squeezing a trip like this into my schedule.

Now I’m making time for the moments that matter.

The work will always be there. These memories won’t.

✈️ Oakland
🎀 Baby shower
💕 Great company
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CA Legal Advertisement. Not intended as Legal Advice or as Advertisement outside of the State of CA.

Attorney Georgina Lepe
(909) 732-2800
1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Ste A
Claremont, CA 91711

05/26/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is:

“But I still have a mortgage… so I can’t transfer my house into my living trust yet.”

That is NOT true.

In many situations, transferring your property into your revocable living trust does not trigger the due-on-sale clause, and you still remain responsible for your mortgage payments.

The difference is that title is now held in the name of your trust — which can make things significantly easier for your loved ones if something happens to you.

Creating a trust is important.

Actually FUNDING the trust is equally important.

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CA Legal Advertisement. Not intended as Legal Advice or as Advertisement outside of the State of CA.

Attorney Georgina Lepe
(909) 732-2800
1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Ste A
Claremont, CA 91711

05/25/2026

People being nervous to meet their attorney… meanwhile I’m ordering coffee surrounded by dolls. ☕️
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CA Legal Advertisement. Not intended as Legal Advice or as Advertisement outside of the State of CA.

Attorney Georgina Lepe
(909) 732-2800
1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Ste A
Claremont, CA 91711

05/22/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is:

“My family will know what I wanted.”

But if you pass away without a will or trust, California law determines who inherits your assets.

There is a specific order set forth in the California Probate Code that dictates who may inherit — and it may not align with your actual wishes.

I have handled probate cases where individuals who had not spoken to the decedent in many, many years still inherited assets because there was no estate plan in place.

Not because the decedent intentionally chose them.

But because the law stepped in and made the decision.

An estate plan is about maintaining control over:
* who inherits,
* who manages your affairs,
* and how your assets are distributed.

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CA Legal Advertisement. Not intended as Legal Advice or as Advertisement outside of the State of CA.

Attorney Georgina Lepe
(909) 732-2800
1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Ste A
Claremont, CA 91711

05/20/2026

Out of everyone in the ballroom… she came looking for me. 🥹

And now she’s a better dancer than me. 😂

05/20/2026

One of the most overlooked parts of trust administration and probate?

Ordering enough certified death certificates.

For trust administrations, I typically recommend requesting one certified death certificate for every real property owned by the trust.

If the estate is going through probate, you typically do not need one certified copy for every property.

Some banks will review the certified copy in person, make a copy, and hand the original back to you.

Others — especially investment companies, life insurance carriers, and online financial institutions — may require you to MAIL in an original certified death certificate.

And if you do not order enough upfront, families often end up delaying the administration while waiting for additional certified copies.

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CA Legal Advertisement. Not intended as Legal Advice or as Advertisement outside of the State of CA.

Attorney Georgina Lepe
(909) 732-2800
1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Ste A
Claremont, CA 91711

05/18/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions I see?

Families assuming that bank accounts automatically go to the children or next of kin after someone passes away.

That is NOT always the case.

I always say:
Title controls.

If there is a surviving joint owner on the account, that individual may keep 100% of the funds.

If there is no joint owner, but a beneficiary is listed, the beneficiary may be able to collect the funds directly from the bank using a death certificate.

If there is no joint owner and no beneficiary designation, then we have to evaluate:

* the total value of the estate,
* the assets owned by the decedent,
* and whether probate is required or whether the funds may be collected using an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property.

Small details in how accounts are set up can completely change what happens after death.

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CA Legal Advertisement. Not intended as Legal Advice or as Advertisement outside of the State of CA.

Attorney Georgina Lepe
(909) 732-2800
1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Ste A
Claremont, CA 91711

05/15/2026

One of the biggest mistakes I see?

Parents adding their adult children onto title to “avoid probate” without understanding the tax consequences.

What many families don’t realize is this:
By adding children onto title during the parents’ lifetime, the children may lose part or all of the step-up in basis benefits that could have applied through inheritance.

And when the property is eventually sold, that can result in thousands — sometimes hundreds of thousands — of dollars in capital gains taxes.

Trying to make things “easier” can sometimes create a much bigger financial problem later.

Before adding anyone onto title, understand BOTH the legal and tax consequences. Consult with an estate planning attorney and tax professional.

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CA Legal Advertisement. Not intended as Legal Advice or as Advertisement outside of the State of CA.

Attorney Georgina Lepe
(909) 732-2800
1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Ste A
Claremont, CA 91711

05/13/2026

Most people focus on who they want to inherit their property… but forget to look at how title is held.

And that one detail can completely change what happens when someone passes away.

If property is held as joint tenants, the surviving owner typically receives the deceased owner’s interest automatically.

If property is held as tenants in common, the deceased owner’s share can pass to their heirs, beneficiaries, or trust.

I’ve seen families shocked to learn the property did not pass the way they thought it would.

Before signing a deed, refinancing, or adding someone to title, make sure you understand the legal consequences of how title is held.

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CA Legal Advertisement. Not intended as Legal Advice or as Advertisement outside of the State of CA.

Attorney Georgina Lepe
(909) 732-2800
1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Ste A
Claremont, CA 91711

Address

1000 W. Foothill Boulevard , Suite A
Claremont, CA
91711

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm

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