在加州 living trust 是有的好， 否则 probate 过程又花时间又花钱, 我一个朋友的妈妈过世后 为了这

probate process 等了很久 一年都不止。

You avoid Probate

If all your property is in trust when you die (or become incompetent), then legally you don’t own anything in your name. This means, if you die, no probate (formal court administration of a decedent's estate) is needed to pass your property on to your beneficiaries. Or if you become incompetent, no conservatorship (formal court proceedings to administer an incompetent person's assets) is needed to manage your property.  In either case, the person that you name in your trust as the successor trustee takes over.  If you die, the successor trustee can distribute the trust property according to your wishes without having to go to probate court to authorize the distribution.  If you become incompetent, the successor trustee can manage the property for your benefit without having to go to court for a conservatorship and without ongoing court supervision.