Monthly Archives: June 2026

California probate vs trust

Trust vs. Estate in California: What Property Owners Need to Know to Avoid Probate

California probate vs trust is the key distinction that determines how property transfers after someone dies. When someone dies in California, their property must transfer to someone else. How that transfer happens — and how complicated it becomes — depends almost entirely on whether the deceased person had a trust. Understanding the difference between a trust and an estate is essential for anyone who owns property, is named in a will, or is administering a loved one’s affairs. What Is an Estate? Simply put, a person’s estate is everything they […]

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prescriptive easement

Prescriptive Easement: Old Gate, New Problem for Churches

Churches occasionally discover that a neighbor has installed a gate opening directly into the church’s parking lot — often with the explanation that someone at the church gave permission years ago. The original approval may have been informal, undocumented, or made by someone who no longer represents the church. Regardless of how the gate got there, its continued, unchallenged use creates a serious legal risk. This situation creates a serious risk of a prescriptive easement under California law. Under California law, long-term use of another person’s property can mature into […]

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