All posts by Jim

Trustee Compensation

Under California law, trustee compensation must be “reasonable” if there are no criteria or other guidelines set forth in the trust. (Probate Code Section 15681.) Often, trusts simply say that the trustee is entitled to “reasonable compensation” without any definition or any guidelines  to help determine the amount of trustee compensation. In those cases, California law … Continue reading Trustee Compensation

Include Role Of Music In Your Advance Health Care Directive

At a CANHR Elder Law Conference that I attended, the award winning film, Alive Inside, was featured. It’s powerful proof of how music can bring life to people who appear lifeless. iPods loaded with a person’s play list does what drugs can’t. A wonderful, helpful tool to help our elderly and those with memory issues. It’s now … Continue reading Include Role Of Music In Your Advance Health Care Directive

Selecting the trustee of your living trust

In selecting a successor trustee for a living trust, people often gloss over the complications involved and think in terms of such broad generalizations as who will “manage my estate” or “take care of my beneficiaries” or “settle my estate.” In reality, a trustee performs very specialized, complicated functions. The trustee must prudently invest assets, … Continue reading Selecting the trustee of your living trust