Matt Palmer
Matt Palmer is an attorney specializing in estate planning. He graduated from UCLA and the University of San Francisco School of Law. After passing the California Bar, he spent eight years at a law firm drafting estate plans and handling litigation. Since 2020, Matt has been in-house counsel at LegalZoom, focusing on estate plan products.
More From This Legal Reviewer
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Power of Attorney for Elderly Parents: A Comprehensive Guide
Struggling to help aging parents with health or finances? A power of attorney (POA) speaks for them when they can't. Get key tips to protect their wishes and gain peace of mind.
· 28 min read
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Gifting Property to Your Loved Ones
Gifting property can be an effective way to transfer wealth, support loved ones, and simplify estate planning. Learn the legal steps, tax implications, and important considerations before transferring ownership of real estate.
· 17 min read
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Decanting a Trust
Outgrown your trust? Just like wine is decanted into a better vessel, trust assets can sometimes be transferred into a new trust with improved terms. Here’s what trustees need to know about trust decanting.
· 21 min read
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Revocable vs. Irrevocable Living Trusts: Which Is Right for You?
Can you change your trust after it's created, or is it set in stone? Understanding the differences between revocable and irrevocable living trusts can help you choose the right balance of flexibility, control, and protection for your estate plan.
· 17 min read
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Is an Inheritance Considered Community Property?
Is your inheritance automatically shared with your spouse? Discover how the laws classify inheritances, key risks, and how to protect what’s rightfully yours.
· 16 min read
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How to Avoid Probate: A Complete Guide
Probate can be costly, time-consuming, and public. Learn how tools like living trusts, transfer-on-death deeds, beneficiary designations, and joint ownership can help your loved ones avoid probate and receive assets more efficiently.
· 14 min read
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How to Set Up a Trust: A Comprehensive Guide for 2026
Online and do-it-yourself options walk you through how to set up a trust. Revocable trust, irrevocable trust, living trust, or testamentary trust, all options are available to people from all economic strata.
· 29 min read
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Holographic Will: Definition, Legal Validity, and Requirements
Learn whether and when a handwritten will that has not been notarized or witnessed may be valid and what is required for a court to honor such a will.
· 16 min read
