Online resource center to help you explore these key issues, and others, regarding your estate.
Mr. Miller has many years of experience in designing and implementing a comprehensive variety of Trusts, Wills, and other estate planning documents, as well as settling estates in the most expedient and appropriate method. Further, he counsels and assists clients on becoming eligible for VA benefits and Medi-Cal.
Learn moreMr. Miller has been active in the area of VA Pension and Medi-Cal for well over a decade. He uses various specialized types of Trusts as well as non-trust strategies to gain eligibility for his clients and save the family money.
Learn moreMr. Miller has been settling estates (both simple and complex) for well over 40 years. The starting point is always to create a strategy to settle the estate in the most efficient manner possible with a minimum of taxes. Often times the strategy created allows the family to bypass Probate Court proceedings.
Learn moreDear Mr. Miller: I just heard that if I leave my three daughters my house and rental, the property taxes are going to shoot up. What gives? I thought Prop 13 guaranteed that they would get the same property tax bill that I did. Is there a solution? Doting Father Proposition 13 and Parent/Child Exception … Read more
Dear Mr. Miller: I want to leave a gift in my trust to my alma mater. And gifts to 10 other institutions. Between $20,000 and $50,000. As to my alma mater, I would like it to be used for a scholarship for undergraduate history students who have a grade point average of between 2.25 … Read more
Dear Mr. Miller: I am going to make it short and simple: How do I take title with my wife on a house we are about to purchase? This seems like such a simple concept and yet, the real estate broker and escrow officer just give me a list and ask me to choose. I … Read more
Dear Mr. Miller: I’ve read some of your articles on fixing A-B Trusts to avoid the capital gain tax on the B Trust assets. Problem is that both of my parents are gone now and an attorney told me that the B Trust didn’t have the right provisions in it to allow what you’ve called … Read more
Step Up In Basis With A-B Trusts Introduction Step Up In Basis Rule Decedent’s Trust Step Up Death Tax Focus Changing the Focus to an Income Tax One Getting Help Dear Mr. Miller: My Dad passed a few months ago. My Mom preceded him back in 2000. They had one of those A-B Trusts. You … Read more
Dear Mr. Miller: I just received a tax bill from the county tax assessor for $10,000 more than it should be. Something is wrong! What can I do? My Mom died 5 years ago. I inherited the house. It’s been rented out for some time. This is the first property tax bill I have received. … Read more
Introduction Joint Tenancy Avoids Probate Need for an Attorney Whose Family Will Ultimately Get the House Debts Mortgage Liability Capital Gain Disadvantage Conclusion Dear Mr. Miller: Introduction: My Dad has been living with a woman for a number of years. He has owned his house long before he ever met her and that is where … Read more
Introduction A-B Trusts Explained Death Tax Goal Portability of Exemption A-B Trust Capital Gain Problem County Property Tax Double the Parent-Child Exclusion Conclusion Dear Mr. Miller: Introduction: I hope you can help. My husband and I have some large real estate holdings in the central valley of California. We want to pass them on to … Read more
Introduction Use the Proper Expert Experts You Will Need Selecting an Attorney Tax Advisor CPA Enrolled Agent Registered Tax Preparer Financial Advisor Trust Companies & Banks Certified Financial Planner Dear Mr. Miller: Introduction My husband just passed and I am worried—really worried. Do we have money? Yes, I think so. The problem is, I really … Read more
A-B Trusts: Don’t Give Away the Capital Gains Step Up! Introduction A-B Trusts Explained Advantages Necessity of Periodic Review Capital Gain Explained Step Up for Decedent’s Trust Methods to Terminate Decedent’s Trust Avoiding Capital Gain on Decedent’s Trust after Death Conclusion Dear Mr. Miller: Introduction: I am a widower. My spouse died several years ago. … Read more
About Living Trusts is hosted by the Law Offices of Merwyn J. Miller, as your online resource center to help you explore these key issues, and others, regarding your estate.
Dear Mr. Miller: I want to change my Dad’s Trust. We have debts up the wazoo. My husband couldn’t control himself at the gambling tabl...
Dear Mr. Miller: My Mom has lost it. She has no ability to make decisions or even understand. I had asked her to put me on her checking and saving...
Dear Mr. Miller: I’m in my 90s now. I’m proud to say that I am worth $4 million. I’ve had a Trust for years. I have two kids, ...
