The Thy Will Be Done Law Blog


The Thy Will Be Done law blog. From California estate planning law and celebrity Wills (or lack thereof, a la Prince) and probate disputes (Aretha Franklin) to estate matters around the world (the estate of Queen Elizabeth II) and in antiquity (Attalus III, who willed his kingdom to the Roman Republic), as well as pieces of a more academic nature, join attorney Ryan J. Casson for interesting and informative legal overviews and inheritance accounts from the trusts and estates world. Please click the Legal Disclaimers link below and be reminded that nothing on this website may be used as legal advice.


Ryan Casson Ryan Casson

What are California Third-Party Special Needs Trusts

Estate planning is very critical for families with loved ones who have disabilities and depend on public benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program). Why? Because SSI beneficiaries often become ineligible for “means-tested” public benefits when they receive an inheritance outside of an appropriate trust vehicle.

Read More
Ryan Casson Ryan Casson

Do I Need a Third Party Special Needs Trust or a Revocable Living Trust: Special Needs Planning Fundamentals

Do you have a special needs child?  Do you have a child on the autism spectrum?  Do you intend on leaving an inheritance to an adult beneficiary who struggles with severe depression?  Is a beneficiary of your estate plan “on SSI?”  Do you anticipate someone else, such as a grandparent, leaving an inheritance to your special needs child?  If you answered yes to any one of these questions, then you should consider creating a particular type of trust known as a third party special needs trust (SNT), also sometimes called a supplemental needs trust.

Read More
Ryan Casson Ryan Casson

IRS’ SECURE Act Final Regulations for Required Minimum Distributions: Another Summary

The Final Regulations clarify various ambiguities, including but not limited to the following: Special rules for surviving spouses that extend the time period in which the surviving spouse can “stretch” the account.  This is one of the biggest and most advantageous takeaways from the Final Regulations. Another major “win” for families are the special rules for children of the deceased participant who, at the time of the participant-parent’s death, had not reached the age of majority.  In short, if the child was a minor (under the age of 21), there may be planning strategies available to “stretch” the IRA.

Read More
Ryan Casson Ryan Casson

New IRA Rules for You and Your Living Trust

As you may or may not be aware (if you’re not, you need to be!), at the end of 2019, Congress passed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act.  Since then . . . Ryan works to assist his California clients understand how death, trusts, beneficiary designations, and retirement and inheritance objectives intertwine with the SECURE Act in light of the long anticipated, and now received, Final Regulations.

Read More
Ryan Casson Ryan Casson

Understanding Key California Estate Planning Documents

Estate planning is an essential process that ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes upon your incapacity and after your death. In California, several key documents form the backbone of an effective estate plan. Here, we’ll guide you through . . .

Read More