At Kushner Legal Corporation, we see one theme repeat itself in nearly every consultation. Single adults in California often assume that estate planning is something to think about only after marriage or children. In reality, the opposite is true. When you are single, you do not have the built in legal defaults that married couples receive under California law. This makes thoughtful planning essential. A revocable living trust is one of the most effective tools available for anyone who wants privacy, control, and the ability to choose exactly who will handle their affairs.

As a firm that represents many LGBTQ individuals, chosen families, and high earning professionals across Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Palm Springs, we know how important it is to create documents that truly reflect your relationships and your values. A revocable trust allows you to do exactly that.

Understanding the Revocable Living Trust

A revocable living trust is a document that you control entirely during your lifetime. You can modify it whenever needed and you can revoke it if your goals change. You serve as the trustee while you are alive. You decide what assets go into the trust and how they will be managed. By naming a successor trustee, you ensure that someone you trust can step in to handle your affairs without court involvement.
Because a trust avoids probate, your estate can be administered privately and efficiently. This is a major advantage for our clients who want to keep personal and financial information away from public scrutiny. We frequently advise clients who prefer discretion or who want to spare friends and loved ones the burden of prolonged court proceedings.

Why Planning Is Even More Important for Single Adults

California intestacy law creates a rigid inheritance structure that applies when someone does not have an estate plan. For single adults without children, the law prioritizes biological relatives who may not be the people you rely on or consider family. We work with many individuals who want to leave their estates to close friends, long term partners, charitable causes, or pets. Without a written plan, these wishes will not be honored.

Equally important is the issue of incapacity. If you become unable to manage your personal or financial decisions, someone will need authority to act for you. Without a trust, a power of attorney, and an advance health care directive, your loved ones may be forced to petition the court for a conservatorship. This process is stressful, costly, and public. A properly drafted trust avoids this entirely.

How a Revocable Trust Helps Protect Your Wishes

First, you stay in control. Your trust can be as simple or as detailed as you want. You can give outright distributions or structure gifts over time. You can protect beneficiaries from creditors or unhealthy financial habits. You decide what happens and when.
Second, you avoid probate. Probate in California is lengthy and expensive. It also exposes your estate to public view. When we design a trust based plan for a client, the administration process becomes far more efficient and far more private.

Third, you choose who will take care of you. Your successor trustee, not the court, will manage your finances if something happens to you. This is critical for singles who have strong friendships or committed partnerships that the law does not automatically prioritize.

Fourth, you protect your chosen family. At Kushner Legal, many of our clients want to ensure that the most important people in their lives are the ones who receive authority, support, or inheritance. Your trust allows you to elevate the people who matter to you and to prevent unwanted relatives from taking control.

Taking the Next Step with Kushner Legal Corporation

A revocable trust is not just a document. It is a plan that protects your independence, your privacy, and your intentions. Singles in California have the most to gain from thoughtful planning because the state’s default rules rarely reflect the reality of modern relationships and chosen family structures.

Kushner Legal Corporation is here to guide you through the process with clarity and care. Whether you live in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, or Palm Springs, we will help you create a plan that reflects exactly who you are and what you value.

If you are ready to take control of your future, our office is here to support you every step of the way.