Orange County Estate Planning Blog

Hello, I’m Jonathan Alexander. As an Estate Planning attorney with over two decades of legal experience in Orange County, I’ve seen the challenges faced by executives like yourself. With high salaries, stock options, and investments, protecting and efficiently managing your wealth is critical. Today, let’s discuss the story of David, a successful executive, and how…

Once upon a time, in a small town nestled in the heart of Orange County, lived a loving and hardworking couple, Robert and Linda. Like many parents, they cherished their two little angels, Jack and Emily, more than anything in the world. They wanted nothing but the best for their children and worked diligently to…

Visualize this. You’ve poured blood, sweat, and tears into building your wealth. You and your spouse have nestled comfortably into a home in the heart of Orange County, have a vibrant young family, and your financial horizon is shimmering with promise. But what happens when life throws a curveball? Such a thought may be uncomfortable,…

As a single parent, you constantly juggle numerous responsibilities while ensuring your children’s future is bright and secure. I understand that your primary goal is to safeguard their future. I’m Jonathan Alexander, an experienced Orange County Estate Planning Attorney, with a passion for helping individuals, families, and business owners protect their assets and loved ones.…

As parents, we all want to protect our children and ensure their safety and well-being. But life is unpredictable, and emergencies can happen when we least expect them. That’s why it’s important to have a comprehensive estate plan in place, especially if you have young children. Let’s explore the story of the Johnson family to…

In the picturesque communities of Orange County, California, life is often bustling with family events, career pursuits, and social engagements. With so much going on, it’s easy for families to put off important tasks like estate planning. But what happens when someone dies without a will or estate plan, also known as dying intestate? This…

In the heart of Orange County, California, there lived two married couples: Tom and Mary, and Jack and Susan. Both couples had successful careers, beautiful homes, and children they adored. They spent their weekends at the beach, enjoying the sun, and attending their children’s soccer games. Like many in their community, they knew estate planning…

A grantor retained annuity trust (“Grat”) is a type of irrevocable trust that allows the creator (the “Grantor”) to avoid or minimize gift and estate taxes while retaining the right to receive an annuity payment.  How Does a GRAT Work? Here’s a high-level overview of how a GRAT operates:  What are the Benefits of a…

A dynasty trust is a type of trust that is created to pass wealth from generation to generation while avoiding taxes—forever—or at least as close to forever as possible.  Some states are more liberal than others when it comes to dynasty trust.  In California, a dynasty trust can exist for 90 years.  In other states…

A charitable lead trust (CLT) is a trust where assets are transferred to a trust for the benefit of a charitable entity.  The CLT then makes payments to one or more charities for fixed duration of time or for the lifetime of a selected individual.  When the CLT’s term ends, the remaining assets are transferred…