Welcome to TrustCounsel Law

Our law firm is based in Lake Forest, California, and provides legal services for Business, Estate, and Legacy Planning for individuals and families .

We focus on planning that empowers our clients and their families to deal positively with life events, and avoid unecessary cost, stress, or conflict that often results from having 'no plan' or 'a plan that goes wrong'.

Our mission is to improve the quality of life for every person and family in the communities we serve, and provide the peace of mind that comes with having a plan that protects you and your loved ones today, tomorrow, and into the future.

Please feel free to contact us for a no-cost consultation, to see if we may be able to bring these services and peace of mind to you.

The Risks of DIY Estate Planning

By David Talley | 2024-11-17

Potential Risks of DIY Estate Planning? There are lots of online ‘Do It Yourself’ estate planning solutions, all promising to save you time and money. It’s true that you can choose one of these, and receive a quick and easy estate plan in minutes. The resulting documents might look good and seem ok, but they …

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Family Wealth: Keeping It In The Family

By David Talley | 2024-10-20

The Book That Reshaped the Estate Planning Field James Hughes’ landmark book that encouraged exceptional families to shift their thinking about heritage, wealth, and legacy passing to future generations. While most saw it as a book written only for the very wealthy, I found seeds of true wealth – that applies to every family It …

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Grandparents as Guardians

By David Talley | 2024-10-14

For a number of reasons, grandparents may find themselves acting as Guardians of their minor grandchildren. If this sounds like you, consider updating your California estate plan to ensure your grandchidren’s well-being and financial stability. Here are some common changes to consider: Update your Will or Trust: Add your grandchildren to your existing planning documents. …

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Do I Need a Will?

By David Talley | 2024-01-09

Estate planning is an important process that everyone should consider. The key estate planning documents suggested for every adult in California are: Will – a document expressing what should be done with your assets after you pass away, as well as nomination of guardian for minor children); Advance Healthcare Declaration – a California form that …

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Generating Tacit Wealth

By David Talley | 2023-12-18

Wealth comes in many forms, but often the most valuable wealth is the hardest to see. It’s the stuff that’s not physical or monetary, but rather the intangible assets that make life more enjoyable. I like to call this tacit wealth, and it can be found in things like good relationships, a positive social life, …

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Expanding Awareness Across Cultures

By David Talley | 2023-11-05

Expanding awareness through intercultural marriage This post is the first in a series focusing on my journey as a husband in an intercultural marriage. I’ll share my thoughts, experiences, and insights on what it’s like to be married to someone from a different culture, amazing opportunites it can bring, as well as the (at times) …

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Family Strength in Stories

By David Talley | 2023-10-29

The Importance of Family Ties As human beings, it’s natural to crave a sense of belonging and connection with others. Strong familial relationships are pivotal in maintaining well-being, happiness, and overall quality of life. Family ties function as the emotional anchor that provides support during times of distress or joyous occasions. As such, it is …

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Extending Life: Human Beings Becoming Immortal

By David Talley | 2023-10-08

Extending life human beings become immortal as digital beings In a future not too far from now, human beings become immortal as digital beings. We upload our consciousness to the cloud and live forever as data. This may sound like science fiction, but it is already happening. What is digital immortality? Digital immortality is the …

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Intercultural Marriage and Wealth

By David Talley | 2023-09-24

Intercultural marriage and wealth creation “When two people from different cultures come together and get married, it’s not just a union of two individuals. It’s the coming together of two families, two traditions, and two worlds. And when it comes to creating wealth, this intercultural marriage can be a powerful force.” So says financial expert …

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Nevada Trust Law

By David Talley | 2023-09-17

This article provides an overview of Nevada trust law, including the basics of trust formation, trustee duties, and beneficiary rights. Introduction to Nevada trust law Nevada trust law is based on the Uniform Trust Code, which was adopted in Nevada in July 2001. The Uniform Trust Code sets forth the rules governing the creation, administration, …

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