The Journal — Plain-English Estate Law
Plain-English guidance on wills, trusts, probate, and protecting your family in California.
Estate Planning for Creators: Monetized Channels, Brand Deals, and California’s New Posthumous Publicity Rights
A monetized YouTube channel earning $15,000 a month does not automatically pass to your spouse, your kids, or your business partner when you die. Neither does an Instagram…
Read →AI-Drafted Wills and the Privilege Trap: What California Families Risk When They Use ChatGPT for Estate Planning
Eighty percent of legal professionals now say AI will have a high or transformational impact on their work within five years, according to Thomson Reuters’ 2025 Future of…
Read →The California Crypto Graveyard: What Happens When Digital Wealth Dies With Its Owner
A widower calls Ridley Law six weeks after his wife’s death. She traded cryptocurrency for years, logging in from a laptop that now sits in evidence of nothing…
Read →AHCD vs Living Will vs POLST – A California-Specific Guide to End-of-Life Documents
California has three terms for end-of-life documents, but only two are actual legal instruments. How the AHCD and POLST work together, and where the living will fits.
Read →California Small Estate Affidavit 2026: Thresholds, Forms, and the Full Process
AB 2016 raised the small estate threshold to $208,850 for personal property and $750,000 for real property. Step-by-step guide to skipping probate.
Read →California Medi-Cal Estate Recovery Rules After AB 116 – What Families Actually Owe in 2026
AB 116 reinstated the Medi-Cal asset test in 2026. SB 833 still limits estate recovery to the probate estate only. What that means for your family.
Read →Understanding Family Meetings for Estate Planning
Discover the power of family meetings for 2026 estate planning. Build trust, prevent conflicts, and ensure smooth wealth transfer. Learn key strategies...
Read →Understanding Blended Family Estate Planning for California Families
Plan your blended family estate in California! Get financial protection, prevent legal battles, and safeguard your children's future. Expert guidance...
Read →Want a straight read on where you stand?
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