When considering living trusts is there is a tax advantage when placing financial assets like bank accounts in a trust?

There is no tax advantage for making your trust the owner of your financial accounts. Additionally your trust can not own your tax deferred...

Will bank accounts / investment accounts that have beneficiary designation avoid probate?

Yes, beneficiary designations will avoid probate assuming the beneficiary is alive. If none of your beneficiaries are alive, the account may then...

You do not necessarily need an attorney to amend any of your estate planning documents although it is generally a good idea to have an attorney do...

What are the tax ramifications of owning a property in joint tenancy with regard to the step up basis?

The primary disdvantage of joint tenancy is that the survivor only gets a stepped up basis for 1/2 the property and thus may owe capital gains...

I am 24 years old. Can I obtain guardianship of my 14 year old cousin? Can she live with me so she can go to a good school?

Her mother can appoint you as a temporary guardian of your cousin by filling out a few forms and consulting with an attorney.

As always, you should direct any tax questions to your CPA. However, the advantage of inheriting a property as opposed to being added to the deed...

Legal rights of a Will

Even if you were still legally married, you have the right to will your share of the community property to whomever you want to. In your case, you...

Grandmother passed away but left my deceased father in the will.

I concur, absent some other language, your father's share will goto to his children

If the beneficiary in a will is listed as a joint owner of the home with the deceased, can probate be avoided in California?

You can avoid probate by being listed as a joint tenant with your sister. However their are some potential negative tax consequences with regards...

It depends on the compensation provision in the trust. Most trusts allow for reasonable compensation for the trustee (usually equal to what a...