Absolute Trust Counsel

The headlines this year are about a new $15 million federal estate tax exemption. For most Bay Area families, that's not the change that matters.

Here's what actually matters for 2026:
Medi-Cal asset limits returned January 1 — $130,000 for a single person, $195,000 for a couple, with a 30-month lookback. If you're thinking about long-term care for a parent, a spouse, or yourself, the time to plan is well before you think you need it.
The new probate shortcut for homes under $750,000 sounds helpful — but it doesn't help most East Bay homeowners, because our homes are worth more than that.

And Proposition 19 continues to be the largest tax exposure most local families have. Doing nothing remains the most expensive mistake.

In our newest article, Kirsten walks through what changed in 2026, what it means for your family, and what a thoughtful estate plan actually looks like in practice. Estate planning isn't about documents in a drawer — it's about taking care of the people you love.

Read the article: https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/2026-california-estate-planning-updates-walnut-creek-attorney/.