Law Offices of R. Christine Brown, APC

08/28/2026

Worried that a trust locks you in? A Revocable Living Trust does the opposite. You can adjust it any time your life changes, e.g., a move, a marriage, a new grandchild. It bends with you.

Want to see how flexible your plan could be? Send me a message, and I will explain your options.

SouthBayElderLaw.com
(310) 782-6322

08/27/2026

"Divide everything equally." It sounds fair until three siblings all want the same painting.

When your plan does not say who gets what, your executor may have no choice but to sell the belongings and split the cash, and that rarely feels right to anyone attached to those items.

There is a better way. You can name specific gifts directly in your will or trust, or keep a personal property memorandum you update over time. Both give your family clarity instead of guesswork. The heirloom pieces carry your story, so it is worth deciding now who should keep them.

I break down exactly how this works on the blog. Read the full post to learn more.

https://southbayelderlaw.com/how-is-personal-property-handled-when-someone-dies-in-la-county-what-families-often-dont-expect/

08/26/2026

Simply leaving someone's name out of your will isn't enough to disinherit them. A court may assume the omission was an accident and award them a share anyway.

If you wish to exclude an heir, the language has to be explicit. Here's what that takes.

https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/estate-planning/reasons-and-how-to-disinherit-someone

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

If planning feels a little too early, that is usually the perfect time to do it. Waiting until it feels urgent often means fewer choices and more stress.

The best plans are made calmly, ahead of time. Let's get yours in place while there is no pressure.

SouthBayElderLaw.com
(310) 782-6322

08/24/2026

Losing a loved one is hard enough without a confusing legal process on top of the grief. Probate is the court-supervised way an estate is settled when there is no trust in place, and in LA County, it can take many months and add real cost.

The good news is that families do not have to face it blindly. I help South Bay families move through probate and estate administration step by step, from filing to final distribution, so you can focus on healing while the details are handled with care.

And for those planning ahead, I show how the right tools can help your family avoid probate altogether. Learn more about how the process works.

southbayelderlaw.com
(310) 782-6322

https://southbayelderlaw.com/practice-areas/probate-estate-administration/

08/23/2026

"You never think you need that precaution until you are in that position." Before this teen left for college, his dad made sure powers of attorney and HIPAA authorizations were in place.

Weeks later, those documents allowed his parents to help direct his care after a serious accident.

A must-read for parents of young adults.

https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/milwaukee/news/2026/06/03/family-urges-parents-to-estate-plan-for-teens-following-a-tragic-incident-with-their-son

08/22/2026

Peace of mind does not just happen, you choose it. It is the quiet confidence that comes from knowing your family will not be left guessing.

That kind of calm is within reach, and it starts with a single decision. Ready to make it? I am here when you are.

SouthBayElderLaw.com
(310) 782-6322

08/21/2026

When a loved one can no longer make decisions for themselves and no plan is in place, families often turn to conservatorship. It is a court process, and it can feel overwhelming in an already stressful moment.

I guide South Bay families through each step with clarity and compassion, and I also help many avoid the need for it entirely through advance planning. If your family is facing this, you do not have to navigate it alone.

Schedule a consultation at (310) 782-6322.

https://southbayelderlaw.com/practice-areas/conservatorships-guardianships/