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John A. Hartog named to Best Lawyers in America for 2020. Recognition is based on peer review by leading lawyers in the Trusts & Estates practice in Northern California. As noted on the Best Lawyers website, “Best lawyers know who the best lawyers are.”

John L. McDonnell, Jr. named to Best Lawyers in America for 2020. Recognized for his professional abilities, John was nominated by leading lawyers in the Trusts & Estates practice in Northern California.

John A. Hartog Named to Northern California Super Lawyers’ 2019“Top 10” List

This presentation will provide an analysis of the statutory grounds affording estate planners the opportunity to petition the court for approval of the estate plan during the settler’s life.

It’s critical that the couple understand and adhere to the rules governing their acts. Married clients often establish a Family Trust to control the disposition of their assets During their lifetimes, clients may transmute (that is, change the form of) property, whether from separate to community, from community to separate or from the separate property of one spouse to the separate property of the other spouse. A transmutation isn’t valid unless made in writing by an express declaration that’s made, joined in, consented to or accepted by the spouse whose interest in the property is adversely affected. The writing must contain language that expressly states that the characterization or ownership of the property is being changed.

The statutory scheme for enforcing money judgments against trusts, the limitations on that scheme when facing spendthrift clauses, and ways around those limitations.