Law Offices of R. Christine Brown, APC

06/05/2026

Your IRA doesn't pass through your will; it goes to whoever is listed as your beneficiary. If you haven't revisited those designations since the SECURE Act changed the rules in 2019, this is worth a few minutes.

https://www.8newsnow.com/investigators/tony-hsieh-estate-lawyers-want-possibly-fake-will-forensically-tested/

06/04/2026

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, and for so many families, this is deeply personal. A diagnosis doesn't always come with warning, and the window to put legal plans in place while someone still has full capacity can close faster than anyone expects.

If you have a loved one showing early signs of cognitive decline, or if you simply want to protect your own future, a conversation with an estate planning attorney is one of the most loving things you can do right now.

📞 (310) 782-6322
🌐SouthBayElderLaw.com

06/03/2026

Setting up a trust is step one. Funding it properly is what actually protects your family. This is a really helpful read on what can go wrong when assets aren't correctly identified or valued, and how to make sure yours are.

https://southbayelderlaw.com/how-are-trust-assets-identified-and-valued-in-torrance-understanding-complexities-and-procedures/

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

We love our kids. But handing a young adult a lump sum inheritance with no structure or guidance isn't always the gift we think it is. A trust lets you decide when and how they receive what you've worked so hard to build, whether that's at 25, tied to finishing school, or in stages over time.

You're not being controlling. You're being thoughtful.

https://southbayelderlaw.com/how-estate-planning-in-torrance-guides-responsible-inheritances-for-families/

06/01/2026

Even without direct heirs, you still have people you love, causes you believe in, and a pet (or two?) that depends on you. Without a will, the state decides what happens to all of it, and its default plan almost certainly doesn't match yours.

Your family and your legacy don't have to look like everyone else's, but they deserve thought, intention, and a solid plan. 💚

📞 (310) 782-6322
🌐SouthBayElderLaw.com

05/31/2026

Most people who inherit from a loved one won't owe federal estate tax. In 2026, the exemption sits at $15 million, meaning the vast majority of estates pass without a tax bill. That said, there are still important planning considerations around retirement accounts and capital gains worth understanding.

This article is a helpful place to start.

https://www.nerdwallet.com/taxes/learn/estate-tax

05/30/2026

Your aging parent has more options than a nursing home, and the right one depends on their needs, their preferences, and your plan.

Start the conversation now, while there's time to get it right.

https://southbayelderlaw.com/exploring-elder-care-options-in-torrance-beyond-nursing-homes/

05/29/2026

Giving a child part of their inheritance early is more common than you might think, and it can be a generous thing to do. But if you have more than one child, how you document it matters enormously.

Without a clear record of what was given and how it should be accounted for, what starts as an act of love can quietly become the source of real conflict later. A little planning now can protect everyone.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-09-20/inheritance-impatience-is-costing-people-their-life-savings

05/28/2026

If you own property jointly, how that property is titled determines everything about what your loved ones actually inherit. In some cases, a co-owner receives your share automatically. In others, it goes through your estate. And if you have kids from a previous relationship, the answer matters even more.

This is exactly the kind of question we love to untangle. Contact us if you need some help!

📞 (310) 782-6322
🌐SouthBayElderLaw.com