When planning for the future, every individual faces a fundamental choice regarding how their assets will be managed and transferred. The two most common tools used to accomplish this are the simple will and the revocable living trust. At first glance, both documents appear to accomplish the same basic goal: ensuring your property reaches the specific people or organizations you choose. However, putting them head-to-head reveals vast differences in speed, privacy, cost, and control. In … [Read more...] about Living Trust vs. Simple Will: You Be the Judge
Caring for Two Generations: The Estate Planning Challenges of the Sandwich Generation
Many adults today are navigating two important roles at once: caring for their children and for their aging parents. The “sandwich generation” often finds itself balancing parenthood, careers, caregiving responsibilities, medical concerns, and difficult conversations about the future. While this role comes from a place of love, it can be a lot to carry. Thoughtful estate planning helps ease some of that weight, ensuring caregivers can provide for everyone in their family. When two generations … [Read more...] about Caring for Two Generations: The Estate Planning Challenges of the Sandwich Generation
Turning Fear into Peace of Mind: Meet Associate Attorney Andrew Morris
The loss of a loved one brings more than grief. Families are often suddenly faced with unfamiliar responsibilities, important financial and legal decisions, and questions about what needs to happen next. For Andrew Morris, Lead Estate Administration Attorney at Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, helping families navigate that uncertainty is one of the most rewarding aspects of his work. “People who come to us are going through a time in their life that they possibly have never … [Read more...] about Turning Fear into Peace of Mind: Meet Associate Attorney Andrew Morris
Should You Put Your Home in a Trust?
Should you put your home in a trust? Many families use a trust for their residence, but the decision turns on control, incapacity planning, and long‑term administration. The deeper issue is understanding what actually changes once the deed is retitled. Why the Question Comes Up So Often in California Bay Area residents face a combination of high property values, blended family structures, and a probate system in Santa Clara County that can be time-consuming, costly, and public. A home is … [Read more...] about Should You Put Your Home in a Trust?
What Happens If You Die Without a Will in California? Understanding California Probate, Intestate Succession, and Why Estate Planning Matters
Estate planning is often an uncomfortable topic, yet it is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones. A common question we hear is, "What happens if I die without a will in California?" If you die without a valid will—or without a comprehensive estate plan—California law determines who inherits your assets. Depending on the type of property you own and your family circumstances, your loved ones may also have to go through probate before receiving … [Read more...] about What Happens If You Die Without a Will in California? Understanding California Probate, Intestate Succession, and Why Estate Planning Matters
Attorney Justin M. Kennedy Selected as 2026 Super Lawyer
We are proud to announce that Attorney Justin M. Kennedy has been selected to the 2026 California Super Lawyers list. This is the 3rd year in a row that Justin has been rated as a Super Lawyer. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition … [Read more...] about Attorney Justin M. Kennedy Selected as 2026 Super Lawyer
Still Fighting: The Estate Planning Legacy of Shannen Doherty
Shannen Doherty spent years fighting breast cancer with courage and candor. In her final days, she also fought to finalize her divorce – signing the settlement just one day before she died. More than a year later, her estate is still fighting to enforce it. Shannen’s story is a powerful reminder that even the best-laid plans can unravel when the wrong people are involved – and that naming the right Trustee may be the most important decision you ever make. Continue reading to learn more. … [Read more...] about Still Fighting: The Estate Planning Legacy of Shannen Doherty
Declare Your Independence From Intestacy
Every Fourth of July, we celebrate the right to determine our own destiny. Yet many Americans leave some of life's most important decisions to state intestacy laws by failing to create an Estate Plan. This Independence Day, learn why declaring your independence from intestacy may be one of the most meaningful gifts you can leave for the people you love. Continue reading to learn more. … [Read more...] about Declare Your Independence From Intestacy
When Estate Planning Documents Say One Thing—and Mean Another
Two recent conversations at Summit, one about blended family planning and one about trust language, highlight a challenge that shows up more often than attorneys might expect: clients and even attorneys sometimes read estate planning documents more literally than the drafters intended. This article explores how terms like "equal" and "irrevocable" can create real confusion and why helping clients understand how a plan actually functions matters just as much as how carefully it was drafted. … [Read more...] about When Estate Planning Documents Say One Thing—and Mean Another
What Happens to a Living Trust When the First Spouse Dies? A Trusts and AB Trusts Explained (VIDEO)
One of the most common questions married couples ask when creating an estate plan is: What happens to our living trust when the first spouse dies? The answer depends on how the trust was designed. In this video, estate planning attorney Justin M. Kennedy explains two common trust structures for married couples: the A Trust (single trust) structure and the AB Trust structure. While both options begin as a joint living trust during the spouses' lifetimes, they function very differently after the … [Read more...] about What Happens to a Living Trust When the First Spouse Dies? A Trusts and AB Trusts Explained (VIDEO)
