Trusts

Trust Lawyers in Calabasas, CA

Protecting Legacies for Clients in Los Angeles & Ventura Counties

A trust is one of the most powerful tools in estate planning, allowing you to control how your assets are managed, protected, and distributed both during your lifetime and after your death. At The Pacella Law Group, we help clients throughout Southern California create customized trust-based plans that safeguard their wealth, minimize taxes, and keep their families out of probate court.

Whether you are protecting real estate, planning for long-term care, or enabling your heirs to inherit responsibly, the proper trust structure can bring clarity, control, and peace of mind.

Request a free initial consultation with a Calabasas trust attorney at our office, at your home or business, or virtually. Call (818) 873-5546 or connect with us online to get started.

Why Create a Trust?

A trust is a legal arrangement in which one person, the grantor, transfers ownership of assets to a trustee, who manages those assets for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries. In simple terms, a trust acts like a private container that holds your property (such as real estate, bank accounts, or investments) and directs how and when it should be used or distributed.

Unlike a will, which only takes effect after death and must go through the probate process, a trust can become active as soon as it is created and funded. This means that your chosen trustee can immediately manage or distribute assets according to your instructions, without the delays, expenses, or publicity associated with court involvement.

A trust can:

Avoid the delays and expenses of probate
Protect assets from creditors and lawsuits
Reduce estate and gift taxes
Provide ongoing management if you become incapacitated
Preserve eligibility for Medi-Cal or other benefits
Allow your loved ones to receive assets on your terms and timeline

Because every family and financial situation is unique, trusts can be customized to meet nearly any goal, from supporting dependents with special needs to protecting business interests or charitable giving.

Trusts are not one-size-fits-all. Each is tailored to your goals, assets, and family situation.

Tailored Trust Solutions for Every Need

Our firm designs, drafts, and administers a wide range of California trusts.

Below are some of the most common and effective structures we work with.

Revocable Living Trusts

The cornerstone of most estate plans, a revocable living trust allows you to maintain full control over your assets while you are alive. You can amend or revoke it at any time. Upon your death, assets transfer directly to beneficiaries without court involvement.

Irrevocable Trusts

Once created, an irrevocable trust cannot easily be changed. This type of trust can remove assets from your taxable estate, shield property from creditors, and protect wealth for future generations.

Special Needs Trusts

Designed for loved ones with disabilities, special needs trusts preserve eligibility for government benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medi-Cal while providing additional financial support.

Bypass (Credit Shelter) Trusts

Often used by married couples, this trust helps minimize estate taxes by using both spouses’ federal exemptions to their fullest extent.

Qualified Personal Residence Trusts (QPRTs)

This trust enables you to transfer your home or vacation property to beneficiaries at a reduced gift-tax value, while retaining the right to live there for a specified period.

Charitable Remainder & Charitable Lead Trusts

Charitable remainder and charitable lead trusts combine philanthropy with financial planning, allowing you to donate to a charity, receive potential tax benefits, and still provide for your heirs.

Spendthrift Trusts

If you wish to protect beneficiaries from poor financial decisions or outside claims, a spendthrift trust limits how and when assets can be distributed.

Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs)

An irrevocable life insurance trust removes life insurance proceeds from your taxable estate, allowing your beneficiaries to receive the full benefit without incurring unnecessary taxes.

Medi-Cal Asset Protection Trusts

Created as part of long-term care planning, these trusts can help preserve assets while maintaining Medi-Cal eligibility for nursing home care.

Pet Trusts

For many families, pets are part of the family. A pet trust sets aside funds and instructions for the care and well-being of your animals if you become incapacitated or pass away.

Contact Us Today

At The Pacella Law Group, we're always ready to take your call! Give us a call at (818) 873-5546 or fill out the form below to contact one of our team members.

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See What They Are Saying

Mr. Pacella was extremely knowledgeable, professional, responsive, and helpful
“Mr.Pacella was extremely knowledgeable, professional, responsive, and helpful. I highly recommend him particularly in regards to probate matters. He possesses the expertise needed to navigate a difficult process and resolve probate matters as efficiently as possible”

- Vanessa C.
I am very happy with his service
“I called Louis Pacella's office and had a phone consultation regarding Living Trust questions as my trust was set up by 2 previous attorneys. I emailed him information regarding my trust and he reviewed them and upon our phone consultation, he was able to answer all my questions.

Louis Pacella was able to simply explain the answers to all my questions simply and easily that I could understand in which our previous attorney could not. I learned some new information regarding my account and my issues were solved quickly and simply. Louis Pacella did not charge me for our quick phone consultation though that was offered. Should I have any further questions or issues regarding my Living Trust I will certainly call Louis. I am very happy with his service”

- David C.
They were courteous, sensitive, and available for all of our needs
“Louis and his staff were excellent at preparing and filing the voluminous amount of paperwork required to setup and execute the LLC and trust of my wife's father. They are experts in the field and were always ready with information for our many questions, including many involving unforeseen circumstances. They were courteous, sensitive, and available for all of our needs. I highly recommend Louis' Office for any Trust creation and execution.”

- Ted C.
What stood out more than the professional execution was the positive attitude, genuine care and emotional support Louis provided
“I had a very complex probate situation after my brother and his son died in a plane crash in June 2017. Not only were there basic probate issues, but my brother was operating a complicated international travel business. Louis tackled the project and was able to unwind the business and do all of the "forensic accounting" and client communications. It was a godsend. What stood out more than the professional execution was the positive attitude, genuine care and emotional support Louis provided. He and his team are an elite group of dedicated professionals. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone with probate and estate planning. First rate company, I'm so very grateful for his services.”

- Brain H.
Fantastic law firm
“Fantastic law firm , true professionals, Highly Recommend”

- Timothy S.
Pricing is fair and customer service is excellent
“We were satisfied with all of the documents prepared by this firm. Pricing is fair and customer service is excellent. Thanks, Louis and team!”

- Periwinkle G.
Louis Pacella has been our lawyer for over 10 years
“Louis Pacella has been our lawyer for over 10 years. He has prepared our estate plan, reviewed real estate transactions, represented us in lawsuits related to our business. He has handled all our legal needs with excellent communication, outstanding professionalism, and is very personable. We have come to think of him as a friend and we give him our highest recommendation.”

- Allan W. & Rex A.
The team is responsive and follow through was great
“The firm is great.The team is responsive and follow through was great. Louis helped us redo our Will and update all the supporting documents of Health Care and Power of Attny. Thanks also to Sheri in his office who kept us up-to-date with paperwork and other important signatures”

- Scott T.
Had a great experience the Pacella Law Group
“Had a great experience the Pacella Law Group (Louis, Stephen, and Sheri were all awesome)! Very practical and knowledgeable and was very pleased with the quality of their documentation! Highly recommend”

- Lauren C.

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