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Brian Israel joins Lowthorp Richards as partner
OXNARD, California – Brian C. Israel, an attorney whose expertise spans estate planning, trust administration, probate and corporate law, has joined the offices of Lowthorp Richards, LLP, as a partner. A practicing attorney for over a decade, Israel received his Juris...
Famous Estates, Costly Mistakes: Lessons in Legacy Planning from Howard Hughes and Kurt Cobain
The laws of intestacy don’t just affect average families, they’ve shaped the legacies of some of the most famous names in history. In this installment of our series, we look at two icons from very different worlds: Howard Hughes, one of the richest men of his era, and...
Protecting Your Legacy: Estate Lessons from Tupac Shakur and Chadwick Boseman
In this installment of our series on the laws of intestacy, we turn our focus to two modern icons whose untimely deaths left behind vastly different estate stories: Tupac Shakur and Chadwick Boseman. Both men were beloved, both were young, and both had built...
When the Music Stops: The Estates of Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix
In our previous post, we explained how dying without a will triggers the laws of intestacy, a legal system that decides who inherits your property when no valid estate plan exists. Today, we’re taking a closer look at two music icons whose untimely deaths show just...
When There’s No Will: Understanding the Laws of Intestacy
When someone passes away without a will or trust, their estate does not simply “work itself out.” It becomes subject to a set of state laws known as the laws of intestacy, which determine who inherits property when no formal estate plan exists. Although these laws may...
Taxing Your Investments: What Law Changes Mean for Capital Gains and Dividends
The investment landscape is shifting again with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill(OBBB)—a sweeping tax reform package that has redefined how capital gains and dividends will be taxed beginning in 2025. For investors, these changes have far-reaching...
Income Tax Changes in 2025: How New Laws Could Impact You
The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) has overhauled key components of the federal tax code, including how Americans will be taxed on their income starting in 2025. These changes reflect a shift in both individual and household taxation, and understanding...
Estate Taxes & the One Big Beautiful Bill: What the New Tax Code Means for Your Legacy
As 2025 unfolds, significant changes to the estate tax landscape are taking shape. With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), the federal estate tax landscape has shifted dramatically. Starting January 1, 2026, the federal estate tax exemption will...
Using a Pour-Over Will with Your Living Trust: Why Both May Be Necessary
Many people mistakenly believe that having a living trust alone is enough to ensure a seamless transfer of their assets after death. While a living trust is a powerful estate planning tool, it doesn’t always cover everything. That’s where a pour-over will comes in....
Understanding Community Property in California Estate Planning
California is one of only a few states that follows community property laws. For married couples and registered domestic partners, this legal framework plays a critical role in how assets are owned, divided, and transferred—especially during estate planning....
The Pros and Cons of Joint Tenancy in Estate Planning
Joint tenancy is a common way for two or more people to co-own property, particularly among spouses and family members. While it may seem like a simple estate planning solution, especially because it includes the right of survivorship, this approach comes with...
Why Updating Beneficiaries in Your Estate Plan Is More Important Than You Think
One of the most overlooked, but critical, aspects of estate planning is keeping beneficiary designations up to date. While your will or trust outlines how assets should be distributed, certain accounts and policies, such as life insurance and retirement funds, pass...
Planning for Incapacity: Why Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives Matter
Estate planning isn’t just about what happens after you pass away. It’s also about protecting yourself, and your loved ones, if you become unable to make decisions due to illness, injury, or cognitive decline. That’s where powers of attorney and advance directives...
How Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan?
Creating an estate plan is an important first step toward protecting your assets and ensuring your wishes are honored. But it’s not a one-and-done task. Life changes and so should your estate plan. Outdated documents can cause confusion, conflict, and unintended...
Should You Add Your Children to the Title of Your Home?
As parents plan for the future, many consider adding their children to the title of their home as a simple way to pass down property and avoid probate. While this strategy may seem convenient, it carries serious legal and financial risks that can create complications...
NOTE: The information contained herein is not intended to be legal advice and the reader should know that no Attorney-Client relationship or privilege is formed by the posting or reading of this article which is also not intended to solicit business.
Cristian R. Arrieta, Lowthorp Richards, LLP, A Professional Corporation, 300 E. Esplanade Drive, Suite 850, Oxnard, CA 93036