AI In Law Podcast
Episode: The AI Assisted Golden State Living Trust Plan
Host: Mitch Jackson
Date: October 27, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of AI In Law cuts through estate planning’s traditional complexity by spotlighting how artificial intelligence and digital-first workflows are transforming the creation of revocable living trusts for California families. Focusing specifically on the "Golden State Living Trust Plan," Mitch Jackson and his co-host examine why this plan is vital for Californians who want to bypass probate, reduce costs, and maintain family privacy and control—all with the help of streamlined tech and expert legal oversight.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Problem: California Probate and Its Price
- Estate planning avoidance: Many avoid planning due to overwhelming paperwork and the legal process. ([00:00])
- Mandatory probate: Without a solid estate plan, California estates are subject to public court supervision, delays, and statutory fees.
- "If you don't have the right estate plan set up, your estate gets pulled into mandatory probate. That means court supervision, delays, public records and fees, and potential taxes that honestly could have been completely avoided." — Co-host (B) [01:12]
- Statutory probate fees: Calculated on the gross estate value, not net value—meaning even mortgage debt doesn’t reduce the calculation base.
- For $500K estate: ~$26,000 in combined attorney and executor fees. ([01:26])
- For $1 million estate: ~$46,000 in fees, regardless of mortgage. ([02:08])
- "That's a guaranteed loss. Your family takes it—money that should have stayed with them." — B [02:19]
- "A loss that proper planning avoids." — A [02:24]
The Solution: The Golden State Living Trust Plan
- Revocable living trust as backbone: Assets transferred to the trust bypass probate entirely, delivering privacy, control, and speed.
- "When your assets are properly titled, put into the name of the living trust... those assets just bypass probate completely. They go straight to the person you named as successor trustee..." — B [02:26]
- Ideal audience: Families and small business owners with estates up to $10 million—covers vast majority needing probate protection in California. ([02:55])
- Offered by: Attorney Mitch Jackson’s firm, integrating attorney expertise with digital tools.
How Tech and AI Power the New Model
- Digital-first, AI-assisted process:
- Secure online questionnaires for data intake.
- AI automates gathering/organizing assets, cutting billable admin time.
- Attorneys focus solely on legal customization and compliance.
- "AI handles the admin lift. The attorney handles the crucial legal customization and makes sure it's all compliant. And that partnership lets them offer the whole thing remotely." — A [05:05]
- Convenience with rigor: The process remains compliant and tailored for California law despite its digital-first approach. ([04:14])
Deep Dive: Revocable Living Trust Benefits
1. Financial Efficiency
- Probate avoidance = Massive savings.
- Out-of-state property also covered—no need for multiple probates if you own property in several states.
- "A properly set up living trust prevents needing multiple probate processes..." — B [05:59]
- Faster estate administration; less stress for families. ([06:18])
2. Control and Incapacity Planning
- Immediate management transition: Successor trustee steps in instantly if you become incapacitated, avoiding conservatorship.
- "The living trust prevents a court needing to step in. You avoid a conservatorship proceeding..." — B [06:44]
- Customization: Revocable—can be changed or canceled as life circumstances evolve. ([07:26])
3. Family Protection and Privacy
- No public probate record: Keeps finances and inheritances confidential.
- "Probate is a public record... A living trust keeps all of that completely private." — B [07:42]
- Protection for minors & special needs: Specify age for asset inheritance; draft tailored clauses for special needs beneficiaries without risking their benefits. ([08:03])
- More difficult to challenge: Living trusts offer greater legal robustness compared to simple wills ([08:53])
- Clarity in blended families/marriages: Use to clearly delineate separate vs. community property ([08:54])
The Step-by-Step Process
- Contact the firm: Receive a secure digital questionnaire. ([09:20])
- Complete intake: Fill out info at your own pace; then schedule consultation with Mitch Jackson (Zoom/phone). ([09:37])
- "You get to ask all your questions, make sure you understand everything, get comfortable... You only make the payment after this consultation, once you're satisfied..." — B [10:06]
- Attorney drafting:
- Firm creates customized estate plan (trust, will, POA, etc.).
- You review, sign, and notarize documents with guidance. ([10:23])
- "The timeline claim that the whole plan is normally done within seven days. I have to admit that sounds fast..." — A [10:23]
- "The speed... comes from the efficiency gained before the attorney starts drafting. It's about eliminating traditional delays..." — B [10:36]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "California probate fees use the gross value. So if you own, say, a million dollar home, but you still owe $700,000 on the mortgage, the fees are still calculated based on that full million dollars." — B [01:49]
- "It's like the... central command center for your assets. It's really the backbone of a smart, secure plan." — B, on the living trust [03:28]
- "AI handles the admin lift. The attorney handles the crucial legal customization..." — A [05:05]
- "Probate is a public record... A living trust keeps all of that completely private." — B [07:42]
- "What is the true cost of inaction?" — A [11:58]
- "The issue isn't really if you need an estate plan in California. It's more about how quickly you can get a solid structure in place to protect your family's future." — A [11:58]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:00–01:10 — Setting up the challenge: probate, fees, and complexity in California.
- 01:12–02:24 — Shocking scale of statutory probate fees; loss to families.
- 02:26–03:50 — The living trust structure and how it avoids probate.
- 03:50–04:51 — The "digital first" approach: AI automation and attorney input.
- 05:36–08:42 — Key benefits of living trusts: efficiency, control, protection, privacy.
- 09:20–10:23 — Step-by-step: how the process works from start to finish.
- 10:23–11:27 — How AI speeds things up without sacrificing legal rigor.
- 11:33–end — Recap: peace of mind, cost of inaction, and encouragement to connect with Mitch Jackson for questions.
Final Takeaways
- A revocable living trust, backed by AI-driven data gathering and attorney expertise, provides a fast, rigorous, and secure estate plan for California families.
- This modern method slashes costs, time, confusion, and keeps your family’s financial affairs private.
- The process is approachable, mostly remote, and designed for peace of mind—even for those who’ve delayed estate planning out of intimidation.
- If you have questions, Mitch Jackson and his team are enthusiastic about providing guidance. Getting started is possible immediately, with some clients having their trust plan ready in as little as one week.