The Journal
Plain-English Estate Law
Plain-English guidance on wills, trusts, probate, and protecting your family in California.
Already Claimed a California Lottery Prize? What to Do Now
Written by Eric Ridley, California lottery lawyer and estate planning attorney, Ridley Law. Last reviewed September 28, 2026. Once you’ve claimed, your name, the store, and the prize…
Read →Just Won the California Lottery? What to Do Before You Claim
Written by Eric Ridley, California lottery lawyer and estate planning attorney, Ridley Law. Last reviewed September 28, 2026. Sign the back of the ticket, photograph both sides, lock…
Read →What Happens to a Lottery Annuity When the Winner Dies?
Written by Eric Ridley, California lottery lawyer and estate planning attorney, Ridley Law. Last reviewed September 28, 2026. Yes, lottery winnings can be inherited. The remaining annuity payments…
Read →Giving Lottery Money to Family Without Wrecking Anyone
Written by Eric Ridley, California lottery lawyer and estate planning attorney, Ridley Law. Last reviewed September 28, 2026. In 2026 you can give any person $19,000 with nothing…
Read →Can a Trust Claim Lottery Winnings in California?
Written by Eric Ridley, California lottery lawyer and estate planning attorney, Ridley Law. Last reviewed September 28, 2026. No. California Lottery Regulations § 5.4.1 requires that winners be…
Read →Can You Stay Anonymous After Winning the Lottery in California?
Written by Eric Ridley, California lottery lawyer and estate planning attorney, Ridley Law. Last reviewed September 28, 2026. No. California publishes the winner’s name, the store that sold…
Read →What to Do If You Win the Lottery in California
Written by Eric Ridley, California lottery lawyer and estate planning attorney, Ridley Law. Last reviewed September 28, 2026. California will publish your name. The trust everyone tells you…
Read →How Do I Object to a Trustee’s Accounting, and By When?
You object by petitioning the court, and the deadline is shorter than most beneficiaries realise. The three-year clock in the Probate Code starts running from the account itself,…
Read →Want a straight read on where you stand?
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