DeCosimo Law

Did you name your grandchildren on your retirement account? In California, that may not be enough.

Most people assume a signed beneficiary designation form settles the question of who inherits their retirement savings. But California families face three separate legal obstacles that can override that form entirely — and most people have never heard of any of them.

① Federal ERISA spousal consent rules can void a 401(k) or pension beneficiary designation if your spouse never signed a notarized waiver — no matter whose names are on the form.

② The SECURE Act (2020) eliminated the "stretch IRA" that allowed grandchildren to draw on inherited retirement accounts slowly over a lifetime. Today, most non-spouse beneficiaries must empty the account within 10 years — often during their highest-earning, highest-taxed years.

③ California community property law means your spouse may already legally own half of your IRA — even a personal IRA in your name only — making any designation that ignores that ownership vulnerable to a legal challenge after your death.

We walk through a real San Fernando Valley family's story and break down how all three of these laws collided to unravel a plan that looked perfectly reasonable on paper.
If you haven't reviewed your beneficiary designations recently — especially if they were set up before 2020 — this is worth a read.

👉 https://www.decosimolaw.com/blog/when-beneficiary-designations-fail

When Beneficiary Designations Fail in California: ERISA, the SECURE Act & Community Property — DeCosimo Law In California, naming grandchildren on a retirement account isn't enough. Federal spousal consent rules, the SECURE Act's 10-year rule, and California community property law can all override your designation. Here's what families need to know.

You're helping your mom with her medications, cheering at your kid's soccer game, and somehow keeping everything else afloat. You are holding two generations together — and that is extraordinary. But here's the hard question: what happens to all of them if something happens to you? Our newest blog post is written specifically for the sandwich generation — California families caring for aging parents while still raising kids. We break down the four documents that protect everyone counting on you, not just after you're gone, but if you simply can't show up tomorrow. Link in bio. 💛

#𝖯𝗋𝗈𝗍𝖾𝖼𝗍𝖸𝗈𝗎𝗋𝖥𝖺𝗆𝗂𝗅𝗒

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Sandwich Generation? Your Estate Plan Protects Everyone You're Juggling — DeCosimo Law If you're raising kids while caring for aging parents, estate planning isn't just about death — it's about protecting every person who needs you right now. Here's what California families need to know. (198 characters — trim to: "Raising kids while caring for aging parents? California's sandwic

Your collection is more than metal and chrome. It's decades of passion, history, and hard work. Without the right estate plan, it could end up stuck in probate court, sold at a fraction of its value, or fought over by family members who don't know a carburetor from a crankshaft.

The good news? California has some great tools to protect what you've built — and 2026 brought some big changes that every collector should know about.

We just published a full breakdown on our blog covering:
✅ The new $15 million federal estate tax exemption (now permanent!)
✅ The stepped-up basis tax advantage that could save your heirs thousands
✅ California's updated probate thresholds for 2026
✅ The Medi-Cal asset rule change that's catching collectors off guard
✅ How to make sure the right car goes to the right person
Whether you have one classic in the garage or a full collection, your legacy deserves a plan. 🔑
Read the full post at the link below — and if you're ready to talk, we'd love to help.



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Classic Cars & Estate Planning in California: What Every Collector Needs to Know (2026) — DeCosimo Law Own a classic or antique car in California? Learn how to protect your collection with the right estate plan — including 2026 updates on probate thresholds, the stepped-up basis tax advantage, Medi-Cal asset rules, and how California compares to other states.

Register now: www.decosimolaw.com/secureyourlegacy

When people think about settling a parent’s estate, they usually focus on the house and bank accounts — not the boxes in the garage, the storage unit, or the heirlooms tucked away in closets.

But those items often carry the most emotion, memories, and sometimes even conflict. What feels like “just stuff” to one person may be priceless to another.

Estate planning isn’t only about money — it’s also about making things easier for the people you love when the time comes.

What To Do With All Your Deceased Parents’ Possessions–And Your Own A guide to disposing of all the things your parents accumulated over a lifetime. Plus, 10 tips for organizing your own stuff to spare your kids trouble o conflict.

We still have a few seats left! Register now!

www.decosimolaw.com/secureyourlegacy

A sudden loss is hard enough. But when someone dies without an estate plan, grief can quickly turn into confusion, conflict, and legal chaos.

The reported story of Marie-Thérèse Ross-Mahé is a powerful reminder that estate planning is not just about money or inheritance. It is about protecting the people you love when they are most vulnerable.

For blended families, second marriages, homeowners, and families with international ties, having a clear plan in place can make all the difference.

Read our latest blog to learn:
• Why dying without a will creates uncertainty
• How family conflict can escalate after a loss
• Why trusts, powers of attorney, and clear instructions matter
• What families can do now to protect loved ones later



Read more:

Her Husband Died Without a Will. Then ICE Came to the Door | California Estate Planning Lessons — DeCosimo Law The reported story of Marie-Thérèse Ross-Mahé highlights how dying without an estate plan can create family conflict, housing instability, probate problems, and legal confusion. Learn why blended families, second marriages, and international families need proper estate planning in California.

What happens when someone builds a fortune… but leaves no clear plan behind?

Zappos founder Tony Hsieh reportedly sold his company for over $1 billion, yet after his passing, questions and legal complications surrounding his estate became national news.

Estate planning is not just for the ultra-wealthy. It is about:
• Protecting the people you love
• Making your wishes clear
• Avoiding unnecessary court involvement and conflict
• Creating peace of mind for your family during difficult times

Whether you own a business, a home, have children, or simply want more control over what happens after you pass, having a proper estate plan can make a significant difference.

Read our latest blog here:
https://www.decosimolaw.com/blog/he-sold-his-company-for-12-billion-he-died-without-an-estate-plan

Tony Hsieh sold Zappos to Amazon for $1.2 billion and built one of the most admired companies in America. — DeCosimo Law Tony Hsieh sold Zappos to Amazon for $1.2 billion and built one of the most admired companies in America. When he died at 46 without a will or a trust, his family was left to sort out an estate worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Publicly, slowly, and painfully. What happened next is a lesson ev

The first 60–120 days after someone passes are where trust administration becomes a legal responsibility, not just a checklist.

In California:
• You must notify heirs and beneficiaries within 60 days
• They have 120 days to contest
• You must inventory assets, secure property, and handle debts properly

Miss a step, and you could be personally liable as trustee.

This guide breaks it down clearly and legally so you can get it right.

Trust Administration California Part 2: Legal Steps and Deadlines in the First 60–120 Days — DeCosimo Law Learn the legally required steps trustees must take in California during the first months after death, including Probate Code §16061.7 notices, asset inventory, EIN setup, debt handling, and fiduciary duties.

Excited to participate in this!