Blog

Let’s embrace the luck of the Irish and spread joy wherever we go! Whether you’re donning green attire, enjoying a pint of Guinness, or simply celebrating with loved ones, may your day be filled with laughter, good cheer, and plenty of Irish...

Some Assets Don’t Belong in Your Trust

29 Feb 2024

While it is very important to make sure most of your assets are “IN YOUR TRUST,” there are several assets that typically don’t belong “IN THE TRUST.” These assets usually pass by way of a designated beneficiary. These are usually tax-deferred accounts....

World Affairs Council Gala

23 Feb 2024

World Affairs Council Gala with Lieutenant Gen. H.R. McMaster, Steve Zelarney and the Trust Dr. (W. Bailey Smith).

Your Retirement Accounts Don’t Go “IN” Your Living Trust!

22 Feb 2024

Estate Planning, Trust

I can’t tell you how many times clients tell me, “Yeah, I put my IRA in my living trust.” You see, an IRA is an Individual Retirement Account. It is owned by an “individual” – not a living trust. It’s the same...

Beware, Joint Ownership Can Destroy Even the Best Estate Plan!

25 Jan 2024

Blog, Probate, Trust

One of the biggest problems people make in estate planning is joint ownership. We are not talking about when a husband and wife have joint bank accounts or where their home is held in both their names which is typical. When a...

and the Oscar goes to…

09 Nov 2023

The “Trust Dr” for his role in saving over 7,000 families from Probates, Conservatorships and Death Taxes.

What Clients Are Saying About “The Trust Doctor” (W. Bailey Smith): “I Have Been a Lawyer for 30 Years but Needed Bailey to Write My Estate Plan”

07 Jul 2022

Blog, Estate Planning

“If you need a heart doctor, you’d want a board certified cardiologist. If you need an estate planning attorney, you’d want a certified estate tax planning specialist, like Bailey. There are over 15,000 attorneys in Orange County, but less than 1/2 of...

Repeal of the Proposition 19 Death Tax Will Miss the November 2022 Ballot

28 Jun 2022

Blog, Tax

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association announced that its Repeal of the Death Tax initiative did not secure the needed signatures in time to qualify for the November ballot, but lauded the efforts of more than 13,000 volunteers who collected over 402,000 signatures...

Wishing a very Happy Father’s Day to all

16 Jun 2022

Father (n). Giver of unconditional love and unsolicited advice. From the Trust Doctor (W. Bailey Smith) the father of over 7,000 trusts and 2 lovely daughters. Wishing a very Happy Father’s Day to all, and a memorable day with your children and...

Beware Joint Ownership Can Destroy Your Estate Plan

03 May 2022

Blog, Estate Planning

30 Years Ago Today, Happy Anniversary Linda!

28 Apr 2022

Linda and Bailey remembering our wedding at the American Cathedral in Paris and our wedding reception at the Ritz Hotel on the Place Vendôme 30 years ago today. Wishing our friends and clients a happy wedding anniversary as well.

What Clients Are Saying About “The Trust Doctor” (W. Bailey Smith): “Forget the rest when you can have the BEST.”

21 Apr 2022

“Bailey Smith provides the highest level of extraordinary service as a Trust Attorney. Forget the rest when you can have the BEST. Your family deserves the best and that is the Trust Dr, Bailey Smith. I am a Real Estate Broker and I...

“You Have Been Named as a Successor Trustee – Now What?” Lecture Series

18 Apr 2022

This weekend I, W. Bailey Smith (The Trust Dr.) gave a free lecture on estate planning. I have created over 7,000 trusts and I am certified by the California Board of Specialization in Wills, Trusts, and Estates. Some of the topics covered...

Happy Easter from W. Bailey Smith (The Trust Doctor) and Family

15 Apr 2022

Happy Easter from our house to your House! Bailey Smith (The Trust Doctor) and Family

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

08 Mar 2022

They say every man is a Irish man on St. Patrick’s Day! Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the Trust Doctor (W. Bailey Smith) and Junior.

How Do You Hold Title To Your Investments?

23 Feb 2022

Most people hold title to their investments in joint tenancy, but this is often not the best way to hold title. To determine how you hold title to your investments look at your title documentation. If you hold title in joint tenancy...

Delighted to be on the front cover of North Laguna Living

15 Feb 2022

If Your Trust Is Not Properly Funded, It’s Worthless

08 Feb 2022

Estate Planning, Trust

Recently I met with an international couple who have a manufacturing business in Orange County. He is from Japan she is from China. It is a Horatio Alger success story. They asked me to prepare an estate plan to eliminate probate, eliminate...

Avoiding the Groucho Marx Problem

28 Jan 2022