A living trust in California, also known as a revocable living trust, is a legal document created during a person's lifetime that allows them to transfer ownership of their assets—such as property, investments, and bank accounts—into a trust. The person who creates the trust, called the grantor, can manage and control these assets as the trustee and can change or revoke the trust at any time as long as they have the mental capacity to do so. Key aspects of a living trust in California include:

• The trust holds legal title to the assets, which are managed by a trustee for the benefit of beneficiaries named in the trust.
• It helps avoid the probate process, which is a costly and time-consuming court procedure required to transfer assets after death.
• The trust provides privacy since it is a private document and does not become public record.
• The grantor retains control over the assets and can modify or cancel the trust if their circumstances change.
• While it does not protect assets from creditors, it offers flexibility in managing and transferring assets during the grantor’s lifetime and upon their death.
• To create a valid trust, there must be trust property, a grantor, a trustee, and at least one beneficiary. The trust document must be signed in front of a notary.

Overall, a living trust is commonly used in California estate planning to ensure assets are distributed to heirs efficiently, minimize costs, and maintain privacy. This arrangement is very popular in California due to the state's lengthy and costly probate process, as the living trust allows assets to pass directly to beneficiaries without court involvement. If the grantor owns real estate, it is important to transfer the property's title into the name of the trust to fully avoid probate for that property. The living trust can also facilitate estate tax planning and provide for management of assets in case of incapacity. In summary, a living trust in California is a flexible legal tool that allows individuals to maintain control of their assets while alive and smoothly transfer them after death without probate. Let me know if you would like more details about how to create a living trust, its costs, or its differences from wills.