Law Office of Lauren Rios

Estate Planning Insights

Practical guidance on wills, trusts, and protecting your family — written for California families, not lawyers.

Why Contra Costa County Families Need an Estate Plan

California-specific planning considerations — probate, Prop 19, Medi-Cal — and why now is the right time for local families to act.

Read more →

What Really Happens to Your Home Without a Trust

California probate is slow, expensive, and public. Here's what families actually face — and how a revocable living trust changes the outcome.

Coming soon

Proposition 19 and Your Family's Property

The 2021 changes narrowed the parent-child exclusion significantly. If you own real estate and plan to pass it to your children, your estate plan needs to account for this.

Coming soon

Will vs. Living Trust: What's the Actual Difference?

Both documents express your wishes — but only one keeps your family out of probate court. A plain-language explanation of how each one works.

Coming soon

When to Update Your Estate Plan

Marriage, divorce, a new child, a home purchase — life changes faster than most estate plans do. Here's when to revisit yours.

Coming soon

Why Your Name Change Needs to Be Reflected in Your Estate Plan

A legal name change that isn't updated in your trust, will, and beneficiary designations can create serious problems. Here's what to do.

Coming soon

Questions about your estate plan?

Schedule a consultation with Lauren — straightforward answers, no jargon.

Schedule a Consultation