Firm News

JKZ has always been committed to civil liberties, including the LGBT community and Women’s reproductive rights. We are disheartened with the supreme court’s decision today and how it impacts not only our clients, but our community and our country. With that we wanted...

At Johnston, Kinney & Zulaica LLP, we see Pride Month as an opportunity to celebrate LGBTQ+ individuals and to reaffirm our ongoing commitment to the LGBTQ+ community in San Francisco and beyond. Pride Month occurs every June, the anniversary of the Stonewall...

Johnston, Kinney & Zulaica LLP's Managing Partner, Yulissa Zulaica, is teaming up with Brio Financial Group for an hour long virtual session on December 3, 2021 to discuss generational wealth. One would think that giving money away would be easy but there are...

There is a lot to think about when going through a divorce in California. Since nearly everything earned or acquired during marriage is community property, couples need to inventory everything they have so they can split any community property equally. Determining how...

Creating an estate plan is important for adults in California because it can ensure that a person's assets go to the individuals chosen by that person. It can also ensure that dependents are cared for and that there are plans in place in case a person becomes...

California estranged couples may experience negative financial and emotional consequences regardless of when they end their marriages. However, it may be more difficult to overcome the consequences of a divorce that occurs closer to retirement age. Therefore, it is...

If you are looking for a way to retain control of assets and obtain estate tax advantages, you may want to consider a self-settled trust. With self-settled trusts, those who live or own property in California or other states can name themselves as the beneficiary to...

On January 23, 2020, the California Supreme Court issued a much-anticipated opinion affirming the standing of beneficiaries disinherited by a later trust amendment to challenge that amendment in probate court.  The Supreme Court stated unequivocally that “when a...

Property tax reassessments occur when a property changes ownership. There are exceptions for transfers between married couples, state registered domestic partners, transfers between parents and children and for other limited circumstances. For years, and even prior to...

A Successor Trustee should be exactly that – someone who will take over management of your Trust should you ever need and definitely someone whom you trust. When considering who you might want to choose, there are both practical and emotional considerations. The...