When a loved one dies and you're named successor trustee, the clock starts immediately. In this episode, DeDe Soto breaks down the full arc of California trust administration, from gathering assets and notifying beneficiaries to filing tax returns and formally closing the trust. She covers what trustees are legally required to do, where they most often go wrong, and why…[...]

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Becoming a trustee after losing a loved one is stressful enough without also discovering you have a legal minefield to cross. In this episode, DeDe Soto breaks down California trust administration from the ground up, covering what it actually means to hold a fiduciary title, how to gather and transfer assets, when to send notice to beneficiaries, and why distributing…[...]

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Business succession planning is where California business owners lose the most money — and most of them never see it coming. In this episode, DeDe Soto, estate planning attorney and founder of the Soto Law Group, walks through the legal tools that protect a business through ownership transfer: LLCs, buy-sell agreements, irrevocable trusts, and the current $15 million federal gift…[...]

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In this episode of Legacy Protected, DeDe Soto breaks down everything California business owners need to know about business succession planning — and why most of them aren't as prepared as they think. From LLCs without operating agreements to S corporations with no estate plan attached, DeDe walks through the real consequences of leaving these critical documents unconnected, including costly…[...]

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Probate in California is expensive, time-consuming, and — with the right planning — almost entirely avoidable. In this episode, DeDe Soto breaks down three proven strategies for keeping your estate out of probate court: revocable living trusts, beneficiary designations, and the often-misunderstood risks of joint tenancy and gifting. DeDe explains why even having a will isn't enough, and walks through…[...]

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Transferring real estate in Newport Beach involves far more than just signing over a deed — and DeDe Soto breaks down everything families need to know. From passing vacation homes and rental properties to the next generation, to navigating the messy realities of multi-generational and out-of-state ownership, DeDe walks through the tools, strategies, and pitfalls that can make or break…[...]

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In this episode of Legacy Protected, DeDe Soto breaks down one of the most important estate planning issues facing Southern California families: how to transfer high-value real estate without triggering unnecessary taxes. With property values soaring across Orange County, understanding step-up in basis, capital gains, Prop 13, and Prop 19 is critical—especially for seniors concerned about Medicaid planning, nursing home…[...]

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Artificial intelligence is everywhere right now, but how much can you really trust it when legal decisions are on the line? In this episode of Legacy Protected, host DeDe Soto sits down with attorney Shanda Beach of Beach Law Group to unpack the real-world pros and pitfalls of using AI in probate, estate planning, and legal practice. Together, they explore…[...]

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In this episode of Legacy Protected, host DeDe Soto explores what really happens when probate and trust disputes collide with high-stakes business litigation. Joined by Shanda Beach, founder of a Newport Beach business litigation boutique, the conversation pulls back the curtain on how contentious family and shareholder disputes unfold behind the scenes. Together, they break down why settlement is often…[...]

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In this episode of Legacy Protected, we take a deep dive into estate planning strategies tailored for high net worth families, with a focus on the unique financial, tax, and family dynamics that come with significant wealth. From evolving federal estate tax exemptions and gifting strategies to advanced planning tools like irrevocable trusts, LLCs, and asset protection structures, this conversation…[...]

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