Protecting Beverly Hills Legacies & High-Equity Assets
Beverly Hills real estate is some of the most coveted in the world. Whether you own a modern architectural masterpiece in Trousdale Estates or a legacy home in The Flats, your property likely represents your family's greatest financial asset. Standard estate planning often fails these estates because it doesn't account for the aggressive California Proposition 19 property tax reassessment rules or the 40% federal estate tax threshold.
As your Beverly Hills estate attorney, we specialize in high-precision drafting that utilizes Qualified Personal Residence Trusts (QPRTs) and Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs) to minimize your taxable estate while ensuring your children can inherit your property tax base whenever legally possible.
Navigating the West District Court (Santa Monica)
While some Beverly Hills probate matters may touch the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, residents primarily fall under the Los Angeles County Superior Court - West District. Most filings are handled at the Santa Monica Courthouse (1725 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90401).
The probate court in Santa Monica is currently navigating a significant backlog. For high-profile residents, the greatest risk is the "Public Record" nature of probate. Every asset you own and the names of every person you leave them to become public data. A Revocable Living Trust ensures that your private financial details never enter the courthouse halls.
Prop 19 Defense for 90210 Homeowners
Because properties in Beverly Hills have appreciated exponentially over the last 30 years, Proposition 19 is a massive risk. If your heirs inherit a multi-million dollar property that is not their primary residence, the annual tax bill could jump from $10,000 to $50,000 or more overnight. We utilize specialized trust structures to mitigate these impacts and protect the multi-generational continuity of your home.
Complete Beverly Hills Estate Planning Services
Our comprehensive estate planning packages include:
- Revocable Living Trust - Avoid probate entirely
- Pour-Over Will - Catch-all for assets outside the trust
- Durable Power of Attorney - Financial management if incapacitated
- Advance Healthcare Directive - Medical decisions
- Privacy Trust Structures - Keep assets off public record
- QPRT & ILIT Planning - Federal estate tax minimization
- Proposition 19 Defense - Preserve property tax base
