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March 2, 2024

Wills, Trusts, and Advanced Directives: Beyond the Basics

Wills, Trusts, and Advanced Directives: Beyond the Basics

This episode delves deeper into estate planning, going beyond the basics of wills, trusts, and advanced health directives. Dr. William T. Choctaw and Attorney Bernie Brown answers questions.
 
Key takeaways:
Deed transfer vs. trust: Deed transfer is ...

This episode delves deeper into estate planning, going beyond the basics of wills, trusts, and advanced health directives. Dr. William T. Choctaw and Attorney Bernie Brown answers questions.

 

Key takeaways:

  • Deed transfer vs. trust: Deed transfer is simpler but limited to specific property, while trusts offer privacy and avoid probate (court process).
  • Recording deeds: Deed transfers need to be recorded at the county recorder's office for validity.
  • Advanced directive validation: Check with your doctor for the easiest way to validate your advance directive, which may involve witnesses or a notary.
  • Trust property transfer: You need to name a trustee and successor trustee to manage the trust property. The successor trustee records the transfer to the trust after your passing.
  • Trust benefits beyond control: Trusts can offer creditor and tax protection in addition to avoiding probate.
  • Using a trust for multiple properties: Separate deeds of trust are needed for each property or you can consult an attorney for other options.
  • Will addendum vs. new will: Lawyers generally recommend creating a new will instead of an addendum.
  • Will revocation due to marriage: A prior marriage automatically revokes the portion of your will related to your ex-spouse. Remarriage revokes the entire will unless you specify otherwise.
  • Online trust creation: While services like NOLO exist, consulting an attorney is recommended for complex situations.
  • Storing advance directives: Keep a copy at home, give one to your doctor, and carry one with you during hospital admissions. Inform a trusted person where your documents are located.
  • Community vs. separate property: In California, surviving spouses generally inherit all community property but not necessarily all separate property.
  • Probate in multiple states: If you own property in another state, there might be simultaneous probate proceedings in both states.

 

Listen now to gain a deeper understanding of estate planning and make informed decisions about your future!

Transcript
1 00:00:01,890 --> 00:00:04,030 Are there any questions for either of us? 2 00:00:04,110 --> 00:00:04,490 Oh, yes. 3 00:00:04,490 --> 00:00:10,360 Attorney Brown, my question is, on a deed of transfer, you don't 4 00:00:10,620 --> 00:00:11,760 leave it at a trust, right? 5 00:00:11,760 --> 00:00:16,430 You could just do the deed of transfer and that's less expensive? 6 00:00:16,430 --> 00:00:22,700 Yes, a deed of transfer, the disadvantage is it only covers the specific property 7 00:00:22,849 --> 00:00:27,700 that's named in the deed, the deed upon death, okay, is what it's called. 8 00:00:28,110 --> 00:00:33,830 Generally you can go to One of your stores, or like Office 9 00:00:33,830 --> 00:00:35,450 Depot or someplace like that. 10 00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:39,340 And a lot of times they have the forms available there, but yes you 11 00:00:39,340 --> 00:00:47,260 would not need a trust if you do a, a deed deed deed upon death, sorry 12 00:00:47,600 --> 00:00:49,185 then it will transfer automatically. 13 00:00:49,785 --> 00:00:53,445 And so if you have more than one property, then you need one that's a 14 00:00:53,445 --> 00:00:57,277 deed of trust for each property, or you just can't use this amount of money? 15 00:00:57,277 --> 00:01:00,674 Now, I would do one separately for each property. 16 00:01:01,355 --> 00:01:07,784 And basically, the interesting thing too, is you, you fill it out, but then you have 17 00:01:07,785 --> 00:01:09,964 to go to the county recorder's office. 18 00:01:09,964 --> 00:01:14,438 At some point, someone will need to go to the county recorder's office 19 00:01:14,438 --> 00:01:19,229 and record it so that the transfer Ok. 20 00:01:19,229 --> 00:01:26,120 Basically, it won't cost you not even a hundred dollars. 21 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:26,809 Yes. 22 00:01:27,949 --> 00:01:28,190 Ok. 23 00:01:28,289 --> 00:01:28,679 Thank you. 24 00:01:28,770 --> 00:01:29,270 You're welcome. 25 00:01:32,570 --> 00:01:32,859 Dr. 26 00:01:33,130 --> 00:01:33,449 Chalko. 27 00:01:34,140 --> 00:01:38,129 Did I understand you to say that an arm of the Director here, 28 00:01:38,130 --> 00:01:42,269 Director Bell is in there, and they cannot be here in health care? 29 00:01:45,955 --> 00:01:50,995 Are relatives, so you have to take two plans, is that correct? 30 00:01:51,215 --> 00:01:51,435 Yes. 31 00:01:51,585 --> 00:01:51,875 Yeah. 32 00:01:52,275 --> 00:01:52,835 E exactly. 33 00:01:53,740 --> 00:01:57,910 That, that they, they, they can, one of them cannot be a family member 34 00:01:57,915 --> 00:02:00,280 or, or someone who's related to you. 35 00:02:00,750 --> 00:02:03,540 Which is one of the reasons why a lot of people just do the notary 36 00:02:03,570 --> 00:02:07,200 because you know, you have to do a lot of planning a lot of times 37 00:02:07,205 --> 00:02:08,760 to get all these people together. 38 00:02:09,265 --> 00:02:14,185 Ideal way I think to approach it is that if you get an advanced directive, say at 39 00:02:14,185 --> 00:02:19,135 your doctor's office or at the hospital, ask them what the most, the easiest way 40 00:02:19,345 --> 00:02:24,145 to get the validation in terms of whether it's witnesses or whether it's a notary 41 00:02:30,285 --> 00:02:30,975 attorney brown. 42 00:02:31,205 --> 00:02:31,625 Yes. 43 00:02:31,625 --> 00:02:34,415 The transfer property, if you had it in a living trust. 44 00:02:34,445 --> 00:02:34,535 Yes. 45 00:02:35,500 --> 00:02:43,360 Does the trust take care of forwarding it to the Board of Registrar's Office? 46 00:02:45,310 --> 00:02:46,560 The Board of Registrar's Office. 47 00:02:47,390 --> 00:02:54,100 No, what happens is you name a trustee and a successor trustee. 48 00:02:54,680 --> 00:03:00,370 Now, when the person dies, actually, the transfer to the 49 00:03:00,370 --> 00:03:02,680 trust occurs while you're alive. 50 00:03:03,260 --> 00:03:07,870 And somebody has to go down to the county recorder's office. 51 00:03:08,580 --> 00:03:15,400 And the recorder's office and record the transfer of the deed to the trust. 52 00:03:15,970 --> 00:03:21,210 It's the, you fill out a form, you indicate that it's transferred 53 00:03:21,210 --> 00:03:25,080 to the Bernie Brown Trust or whatever the name of your trust. 54 00:03:25,420 --> 00:03:29,800 And then it's on record that it's transferred to the trust. 55 00:03:30,310 --> 00:03:34,000 And then the trustees control it control the property. 56 00:03:34,430 --> 00:03:36,780 Which, like I said earlier, it might be you. 57 00:03:37,500 --> 00:03:41,590 So while you're alive, you control it, and while you're alive, it's revocable. 58 00:03:41,750 --> 00:03:48,350 But once you die, then your successor trustee will go, will transfer 59 00:03:48,350 --> 00:03:52,780 the property, and they will show that it's owned by the trust, and 60 00:03:52,780 --> 00:03:56,150 therefore that they are authorized to do whatever they want to do with it. 61 00:03:56,620 --> 00:04:04,440 Keep it, hold it, trust it, or however you have directed it to happen in the trust. 62 00:04:06,245 --> 00:04:09,195 You see, these trusts are very, they can be very complex, and I 63 00:04:09,195 --> 00:04:12,525 don't want to take up too much time, but you can put virtually 64 00:04:12,545 --> 00:04:14,315 anything that you want in the trust. 65 00:04:14,965 --> 00:04:18,245 You can put in there one of the things my mother did, which was 66 00:04:18,245 --> 00:04:20,045 really kind of, kind of cool. 67 00:04:20,535 --> 00:04:22,655 It was my sister and my three brothers. 68 00:04:23,265 --> 00:04:29,755 And she had the we put in her trust that the property should remain 69 00:04:29,765 --> 00:04:32,625 in the family during the lifetime. 70 00:04:33,085 --> 00:04:38,625 And any of us should be entitled to live in that property. 71 00:04:39,130 --> 00:04:43,360 While we're alive, unless all of us agree to sell it. 72 00:04:44,290 --> 00:04:50,750 So, thereby she created a situation where all the kids would have a place to stay. 73 00:04:50,750 --> 00:04:51,950 And that was what she wanted. 74 00:04:52,280 --> 00:04:55,750 She wanted each child to have a place where they could stay if 75 00:04:55,750 --> 00:04:58,070 they needed a home to live in. 76 00:04:58,555 --> 00:05:01,565 Sorry, I didn't want to, but anyway, that's good. 77 00:05:07,515 --> 00:05:08,175 I have a question. 78 00:05:12,245 --> 00:05:14,005 I have a set aside on, 79 00:05:18,065 --> 00:05:20,365 and I told them that's plenty of money for my car. 80 00:05:21,275 --> 00:05:24,785 However, I think you said it's about a year and a half, 81 00:05:26,985 --> 00:05:27,715 putting stuff in the garage. 82 00:05:29,355 --> 00:05:33,825 How does he get money from there when I get a car? 83 00:05:33,925 --> 00:05:35,945 Well, what happens is you name an executor. 84 00:05:36,325 --> 00:05:41,825 In your will, and the executor files the application with the court, and 85 00:05:41,835 --> 00:05:46,335 they go into court, and if you've named a guardian in your will for your 86 00:05:46,345 --> 00:05:50,875 minor child, they go into court, and then the court approves everything. 87 00:05:51,345 --> 00:05:57,195 Now, it can be, it can, Take time, but it can be pretty quickly too. 88 00:05:57,485 --> 00:06:00,855 I mean, as soon as they file the application, your executor files the 89 00:06:00,855 --> 00:06:05,345 application, the attorneys come in, they get a date, and then they get 90 00:06:05,345 --> 00:06:08,875 approval from the court, they show the court the will, the court looks at 91 00:06:08,875 --> 00:06:13,985 it, it directs that certain funds be distributed in a certain way, and then 92 00:06:13,985 --> 00:06:19,675 they immediately begin that process of distributing those funds as you indicated. 93 00:06:20,030 --> 00:06:20,630 In the will. 94 00:06:21,650 --> 00:06:21,740 Mm-Hmm. 95 00:06:29,895 --> 00:06:31,235 Can you do addendum? 96 00:06:32,595 --> 00:06:34,095 It's not recommended. 97 00:06:34,155 --> 00:06:40,015 You can generally most lawyers would say just do another trust. 98 00:06:40,015 --> 00:06:42,205 Revoke the old winner and do another one. 99 00:06:42,525 --> 00:06:45,725 But it, it, it is, it, it can be done. 100 00:06:45,815 --> 00:06:46,175 Yes. 101 00:06:51,110 --> 00:06:51,670 Attorney miles. 102 00:06:56,690 --> 00:06:58,625 And the time that I viewed the. 103 00:07:11,855 --> 00:07:16,234 It just made me stop thinking about kids. 104 00:07:18,475 --> 00:07:24,391 I did do a wheel, and I still have it. 105 00:07:24,391 --> 00:07:26,044 So, I still see it as so 106 00:07:31,505 --> 00:07:31,965 unrecognizable. 107 00:07:35,395 --> 00:07:36,265 And it's not 108 00:07:41,065 --> 00:07:43,695 kids just to get everything. 109 00:07:47,005 --> 00:07:52,405 Your will is revoked automatically by operation of law with 110 00:07:52,405 --> 00:07:55,215 regard to your prior spouse. 111 00:07:55,915 --> 00:07:59,765 So that portion of the will is automatically revoked. 112 00:08:00,025 --> 00:08:03,985 If you get remarried, the entire will is revoked. 113 00:08:04,405 --> 00:08:08,600 You can always like I said, mentioned earlier, you can just destroy 114 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:13,290 the will, throw it away and write a new one or write a new trust. 115 00:08:13,650 --> 00:08:18,820 You can all so it is flexible as to exactly how you want to do it. 116 00:08:18,820 --> 00:08:20,960 There are several ways to do it. 117 00:08:21,490 --> 00:08:24,090 But I wasn't sure. 118 00:08:24,490 --> 00:08:24,890 I'm sorry. 119 00:08:24,890 --> 00:08:25,190 Go ahead. 120 00:08:28,300 --> 00:08:28,810 Okay. 121 00:08:29,580 --> 00:08:30,070 Okay. 122 00:08:30,070 --> 00:08:36,240 Well then, then he's not going to, yeah, and you said you're divorced from him. 123 00:08:36,945 --> 00:08:38,825 Right, so he's not going to get anything out of the way. 124 00:08:38,825 --> 00:08:42,835 Don't worry, he won't get a bag. 125 00:08:48,045 --> 00:08:50,355 I can't hear you now. 126 00:09:01,405 --> 00:09:03,675 Well, that's what a living trust does. 127 00:09:04,495 --> 00:09:06,765 A living trust makes it possible. 128 00:09:07,055 --> 00:09:11,835 So that everything can go directly to the children without going through probate. 129 00:09:21,595 --> 00:09:23,565 Another price for the probate, right? 130 00:09:23,565 --> 00:09:24,475 To do that. 131 00:09:24,535 --> 00:09:26,824 I mean, to do that over and over. 132 00:09:27,105 --> 00:09:30,395 You wouldn't go through probate, so you wouldn't have to pay for probate. 133 00:09:30,395 --> 00:09:32,035 But yes, you would have to. 134 00:09:33,555 --> 00:09:39,685 Prepare, pay a lawyer to prepare a new living trust, or huh. 135 00:09:40,105 --> 00:09:45,515 There is another one other alternative and in this modern space age we live in 136 00:09:46,965 --> 00:09:50,485 You can go online and there are services. 137 00:09:50,485 --> 00:09:55,645 One of the services is called Nolo No low press, but you go online and type 138 00:09:55,645 --> 00:10:01,585 in Revocable Trust or, you know, Living Trust and you type it in there and it'll 139 00:10:01,605 --> 00:10:08,445 come up and it'll say we'll charge you 75 and what will happen is, it's a question 140 00:10:08,445 --> 00:10:14,005 and answer and it's an interactive type thing and then you go page by page 141 00:10:14,005 --> 00:10:18,405 by page and you create it and then it it'll make your answer a little shorter. 142 00:10:18,890 --> 00:10:21,360 And I'm just making a point that I feel awful. 143 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:23,413 Ha ha ha ha ha! 144 00:10:23,413 --> 00:10:25,466 Ha ha ha ha ha! 145 00:10:25,466 --> 00:10:27,518 Ha ha ha ha ha! 146 00:10:27,518 --> 00:10:29,571 Ha ha ha ha ha! 147 00:10:29,571 --> 00:10:31,624 Ha ha ha ha ha! 148 00:10:31,624 --> 00:10:33,677 Ha ha ha ha ha! 149 00:10:33,677 --> 00:10:35,729 Ha ha ha ha ha! 150 00:10:36,070 --> 00:10:36,770 Ha ha ha ha ha! 151 00:10:36,770 --> 00:10:41,690 Is that it? 152 00:10:46,290 --> 00:10:47,410 Hello, Dr. 153 00:10:47,410 --> 00:10:47,720 Chalk! 154 00:10:48,550 --> 00:10:48,860 Yes. 155 00:10:49,045 --> 00:10:53,205 Oh, sorry. 156 00:10:54,385 --> 00:10:57,105 I have a question regarding the advance directive. 157 00:10:57,265 --> 00:10:57,525 Yes. 158 00:10:57,535 --> 00:11:00,525 When you officially fill out the advance directive. 159 00:11:01,515 --> 00:11:03,415 After you fill out everything. 160 00:11:04,120 --> 00:11:09,480 Is it a particular paper that just goes with you wherever you go? 161 00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:14,530 So if you're admitted in the hospital or you have a procedure or 162 00:11:14,530 --> 00:11:18,870 whatever, do you just have that on hand and you just bring it with you 163 00:11:18,870 --> 00:11:20,710 from home after you have it done? 164 00:11:20,830 --> 00:11:23,549 Or does it expire and you have to redo it? 165 00:11:23,550 --> 00:11:24,800 That's an excellent question. 166 00:11:24,810 --> 00:11:28,914 Your question is, once I've done my advanced directive, what do I do with it? 167 00:11:29,495 --> 00:11:31,465 And that, that's, that's, that's an excellent question. 168 00:11:31,675 --> 00:11:33,885 One, you should keep a copy for yourself. 169 00:11:34,295 --> 00:11:38,925 It is a good idea that you keep a copy at home, you know, where, where you 170 00:11:38,925 --> 00:11:41,485 normally keep important documents. 171 00:11:41,705 --> 00:11:44,735 And I would certainly recommend that you give it to your doctor. 172 00:11:44,735 --> 00:11:47,515 Like, if you have a GP or regular doctor that you go to, 173 00:11:47,805 --> 00:11:49,435 that, that you give them a copy. 174 00:11:49,815 --> 00:11:53,125 If you are admitted to the hospital, say an elective admission, 175 00:11:53,405 --> 00:11:56,525 That you take a copy with you doing your elective admission. 176 00:11:56,855 --> 00:12:00,575 I didn't mention it, but you just reminded me, all hospitals 177 00:12:00,585 --> 00:12:05,955 now must ask you on admission if you have an advanced directive. 178 00:12:06,295 --> 00:12:07,385 It's a requirement. 179 00:12:07,775 --> 00:12:10,555 And when I worked with the Joint Commission and we were accredited 180 00:12:10,565 --> 00:12:13,805 hospitals, we would go through the record and make sure they have to 181 00:12:13,815 --> 00:12:15,445 ask that of every single patient. 182 00:12:15,715 --> 00:12:18,345 But at least you should keep it in a safe place at home. 183 00:12:18,605 --> 00:12:21,035 I would keep it like in your car or whatever. 184 00:12:21,245 --> 00:12:23,505 And you do want to give it to your health care. 185 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:27,380 Individuals, your doctor or the hospital that you go to. 186 00:12:28,790 --> 00:12:29,170 Thank you. 187 00:12:31,430 --> 00:12:32,800 Could I add one thing? 188 00:12:33,040 --> 00:12:36,610 With regard to your wills, trusts, and all your documents, you 189 00:12:36,610 --> 00:12:40,690 want to tell some trusted person where they can find the document. 190 00:12:41,330 --> 00:12:43,870 Because if you don't tell somebody where to find it, then, 191 00:12:44,530 --> 00:12:46,070 you know, you, you, you die. 192 00:12:46,260 --> 00:12:48,950 And then they're trying to find the documents and where is it? 193 00:12:48,950 --> 00:12:54,280 And so if there's someone you trust, just tell them where to find it and maybe give 194 00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:55,969 them a lock if it's under lock and key. 195 00:12:56,300 --> 00:13:00,030 Key tell 'em where to find the key or how, or give them a key so that they 196 00:13:00,030 --> 00:13:02,570 can quickly locate your documents. 197 00:13:05,130 --> 00:13:06,960 Attorney Brown, I have a quick question that my read some 198 00:13:06,960 --> 00:13:12,750 information that says, in the state of California, when a spouse dies. 199 00:13:13,170 --> 00:13:19,440 If there's a will, the wife doesn't automatically get all of the property 200 00:13:19,500 --> 00:13:23,610 the wife may get, or the surviv spouse may get half of the property, 201 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:28,660 especially in consideration with children and possibly other relatives. 202 00:13:28,665 --> 00:13:29,500 Could you clarify? 203 00:13:29,620 --> 00:13:32,500 Generally speaking, the wife does get all of the property 204 00:13:32,500 --> 00:13:34,360 except for separate property. 205 00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:37,230 There are two categories, basically of property. 206 00:13:37,895 --> 00:13:41,675 There's community property, which is all property that you 207 00:13:41,675 --> 00:13:43,385 acquire during the marriage. 208 00:13:43,765 --> 00:13:50,085 And generally speaking, that goes directly to the surviving 209 00:13:50,095 --> 00:13:53,125 spouse when one spouse dies. 210 00:13:53,715 --> 00:13:55,975 Now there's what's known as separate property. 211 00:13:56,335 --> 00:13:58,545 A spouse can have separate property. 212 00:13:58,555 --> 00:14:05,145 Separate property is property that you either inherited or was gifted to you. 213 00:14:05,445 --> 00:14:07,805 It can be during the, the marriage. 214 00:14:07,805 --> 00:14:12,385 So let's say there's husband and wife and let's say the wife's 215 00:14:12,745 --> 00:14:17,955 parent Gave her property during, as part of a will, and she received 216 00:14:17,955 --> 00:14:19,905 that property during the marriage. 217 00:14:19,945 --> 00:14:23,835 That's her own separate property, even though it's during the marriage. 218 00:14:23,835 --> 00:14:27,915 So that would not transfer automatically to the husband. 219 00:14:28,245 --> 00:14:33,985 It depends on whether you have a will, or a trust, or whether you don't have a will, 220 00:14:34,235 --> 00:14:37,145 as to how that property would transfer. 221 00:14:37,195 --> 00:14:38,585 But it's not automatic. 222 00:14:39,090 --> 00:14:40,760 to all of it to the husband. 223 00:14:41,140 --> 00:14:45,210 If it's separate, the wife's, the spouse's separate property. 224 00:14:45,210 --> 00:14:52,301 Okay, I inherently I stay inside and I die in the sitting inside. 225 00:14:52,301 --> 00:14:53,139 Well, the 226 00:15:00,739 --> 00:15:06,759 law, that can be a real interesting thing because you may have to 227 00:15:07,129 --> 00:15:13,374 initiate, the children may have to initiate a probate In the other 228 00:15:13,374 --> 00:15:16,554 state where the property is located. 229 00:15:16,734 --> 00:15:21,394 If the property is located in another state there's some complicated rules. 230 00:15:21,824 --> 00:15:25,484 With regard to that, but it is possible that you could have 231 00:15:25,664 --> 00:15:28,654 simultaneous probate proceedings. 232 00:15:29,054 --> 00:15:34,014 One in one state where certain property is located and another proceeding in another 233 00:15:34,014 --> 00:15:36,124 state where other property is located. 234 00:15:36,644 --> 00:15:41,244 So, we could discuss that further in the breakout session. 235 00:15:46,974 --> 00:15:47,104 Thank you.