DeCosimo Law

08/20/2026

Good news for California families planning their estates: the "tax cliff" everyone worried about didn't happen.

The federal estate tax exemption for 2026 is now a permanent $15 million per person ($30 million per married couple) — thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law last year. That's instead of the roughly $7 million drop that was originally scheduled to hit this year.

What this means for most families: if your estate is under the threshold, federal estate tax isn't something you need to worry about. California also has no separate state estate or inheritance tax, so that federal number is really the only one to watch.

But a bigger exemption doesn't mean your plan is finished. Probate avoidance, portability elections for married couples, and keeping your trust up to date still matter — especially with California home values what they are.

📍 Read the full breakdown on our blog (link in comments/bio) or reach out to schedule a review of your estate plan.

DeCosimo Law | Temecula, CA

The federal estate tax exemption jumped to $15M in 2026 under the OBBBA. See what it means for your California trust and whether your plan needs an update.

08/07/2026

If you couldn't walk into your business tomorrow, who would keep things moving?

For business owners, estate planning isn't just about deciding who inherits your assets. Someone may need to make payroll, pay vendors, access accounts, communicate with employees and customers, and make important decisions, sometimes with very little notice.

And if you own a licensed professional practice, there may be additional rules governing who can own or manage the business.

Our latest article explains why a living trust is only one part of the picture, and the questions every business owner should be asking about succession planning.

You've worked hard to build your business. Make sure there's a plan to protect it when you're not there.

👉 Read the full article: https://www.decosimolaw.com/blog/when-your-business-dies-with-you-the-california-succession-gap-every-practice-owner-misses

What happens to your business if you can’t run it? Learn how California business owners can coordinate estate and succession planning to protect their business, family, and legacy.

08/07/2026

Is Someone You Love Turning 18 This Year? - https://mailchi.mp/decosimolaw/is-your-estate-plan-ready-for-summer-6431742

08/07/2026

National Make-A-Will Month: Before You Make a Will, Read This -

https://mailchi.mp/decosimolaw/is-your-estate-plan-ready-for-summer-6431661

07/27/2026

What will your family remember most about you?

Will it be your house...
Your investments...

Or your famous holiday recipes, family traditions, and the stories only you could tell?

A trust protects your assets, but a legacy letter preserves you.

In our newest blog, Deanna shares a touching personal story about a handwritten cookbook from her grandmother and why it forever changed the way she thinks about estate planning.

Because sometimes the most meaningful inheritance isn't measured in dollars.

https://www.decosimolaw.com/blog/what-is-a-legacy-letter



❤️ Read the blog here:
https://www.decosimolaw.com/blog/what-is-a-legacy-letter

07/23/2026

Did you inherit an IRA, or expect to someday?

The rules changed under the SECURE Act, and many beneficiaries are surprised to learn they may have only 5 years, 10 years, or (in some cases) a lifetime to withdraw inherited retirement funds. The timeline depends on who inherited the IRA, when the original owner passed away, and other important factors.

Making the wrong move could lead to unnecessary taxes and missed planning opportunities.

Our latest blog explains:
✅ Who qualifies for the 5-year, 10-year, or lifetime rules
✅ How the SECURE Act changed inherited IRAs
✅ Common mistakes beneficiaries should avoid
✅ Why coordinating your estate plan with your beneficiary designations matters

Read the full article here:
🔗 https://www.decosimolaw.com/blog/inherited-an-ira-the-secure-act-determines-whether-you-get-five-years-ten-years-or-a-lifetime

If you have retirement accounts or want to make things easier for your loved ones, thoughtful estate planning today can help prevent costly surprises tomorrow.

Learn how the SECURE Act changed inherited IRA rules, who qualifies for lifetime "stretch" distributions, and how beneficiary designations can dramatically impact taxes.

07/13/2026

What if your child inherits your California home... but probate takes too long?

Most people know probate can be slow.

What many don't realize is that Proposition 19's one-year deadline doesn't wait for probate to finish.

For many inherited family homes, an eligible child who wants to preserve the parent's favorable property tax assessment generally must establish the home as their principal residence and satisfy certain filing requirements within one year of the parent's death—not one year after probate ends.

That timing can create unexpected challenges for families who thought they had plenty of time.

In my latest article, I explain:
🏡 How probate and Proposition 19 can collide
⏰ Why the one-year deadline matters
📋 What families should know before it's too late
📖 How proper estate planning can help avoid unnecessary complications

If your estate plan hasn't been reviewed since Proposition 19 became law, now is a good time to revisit it.

👉 Read the full article here: https://www.decosimolaw.com/blog/the-clock-that-doesnt-wait-for-the-courthouse-prop-19-and-california-probate-delays

This post is for general informational purposes only and is not legal or tax advice. Every situation is different.

Probate can take 12–18 months in California — but Prop 19's one-year deadline to inherit your parent's tax base doesn't pause for the courthouse. Here's what families need to know.

07/04/2026

Most people think estate planning ends with signing a trust or will. But some of the hardest moments for grieving families aren't legal — they're logistical. Where's the safe deposit box key? Who's the guy who mows the lawn? What's the login for the electric bill?

A simple "When I'm Gone" workbook can answer all of it, saving
your loved ones from digging through drawers and guessing passwords during one of the hardest times of their lives.

Read our latest blog post to see what to include 👇
https://www.decosimolaw.com/blog/the-when-im-gone-workbook-one-of-the-greatest-gifts-you-can-leave-your-loved-ones

Estate planning protects your assets. A "When I'm Gone" workbook protects your family from confusion and guesswork. See what to include in 2026.

06/29/2026

Summer is when Southern California families make big moves — helping adult kids buy a home, transferring the rental property, writing the big check.

But in 2026, two California rules are catching families off guard:

🔴 California's reinstated Medi-Cal look-back period means gifts made NOW can trigger a penalty period if you need nursing home care within the next 30 months.

🔴 Prop 19 means transferring a rental property to your kids during your lifetime can trigger a full property tax reassessment — costing thousands per year, permanently.

We just published a plain-English guide to both traps — and what to do instead. Link in comments.

Read More: https://www.decosimolaw.com/blog/the-summer-of-transfers-why-gifting-to-your-kids-in-2026-could-backfire-on-you

Thinking about helping your adult kids buy a home or transfer the rental property this summer? California's new Medi-Cal look-back rules and Prop 19 could turn your generosity into a costly mistake. A California estate planning attorney explains the two traps to avoid in 2026.

06/22/2026

Imagine this: Your mother is 78, sharp as a tack, and living independently in the home she's owned for 35 years. You're not worried — she has some savings, a paid-off house, and you've always assumed that if she ever needed a nursing home, Medi-Cal would be there to help.

That assumption just got a lot more complicated.

In the span of a single year, two major legal changes — one from Washington D.C. and one from Sacramento — have quietly rewritten the rules on how Californians pay for long-term care. Together, they affect how much your parents need to save, whether they can qualify for help, and critically, whether the family home will be there for you to inherit when they're gone.

This isn't a distant, theoretical problem. For families with aging parents, it's happening right now. Read more...

New federal and California laws have changed who qualifies for Medi-Cal nursing home coverage — and your family home may be at risk. Here's what to do now.