Why Burbank Estate Planning Is Different
If you work at Warner Bros, Disney, Netflix, or any Burbank-based studio, your estate is more complex than most. LegalZoom and Trust & Will don't ask about residuals. They don't know what a SAG-AFTRA pension is. They've never dealt with music publishing rights or backend participation.
Our attorney-reviewed California living trusts include specific provisions for entertainment industry assets:
Residuals & Royalties
SAG-AFTRA, WGA, and DGA residuals continue for decades after death. Our trusts include Assignment of Personal Property language that ensures these income streams transfer properly—not get frozen in probate.
Music & Publishing Rights
If you own music publishing, sync rights, or master recordings, these are intellectual property assets that require specific trust provisions. Generic trusts often leave these in legal limbo.
Union Pensions & Health Plans
SAG-AFTRA Pension, DGA pension, IATSE benefits—each has specific beneficiary designation requirements. We'll guide you on which assets transfer via trust and which need separate beneficiary forms.
Backend & Profit Participation
If you have backend points, profit participation, or deferred compensation from studio deals, these need to be explicitly addressed. We've seen families lose hundreds of thousands because these weren't in the trust.
Warning: The Residual Nightmare
"My father was a SAG member with decades of residuals. When he passed without a trust, we spent 20 months in probate trying to sort out the royalty streams. Residual checks kept coming—and we couldn't touch them." — Daniel R., Burbank
Learn how to fund your trust with entertainment industry assets →
Burbank Neighborhoods: Local Expertise Matters
Burbank's housing market ranges from charming Magnolia Park bungalows to hillside estates with studio views. Each area has distinct estate planning considerations:
Central & South Burbank
Magnolia Park ($950K - $1.4M)
Walkable neighborhood with 1930s-1950s character homes. Many long-term owners have significant Prop 13 protection—Prop 19 planning is critical here to preserve that tax base for heirs.
Media District ($1M - $1.8M)
The heart of entertainment industry housing. Residents often have studio jobs, union memberships, and complex compensation. We see the most entertainment-specific estate plans from this area.
Rancho ($1.1M - $1.6M)
The "Rancho" area near the Equestrian Center attracts families who've been in Burbank for generations. Multigenerational planning and keeping property in the family is a common goal.
Hillside & Premium Areas
Burbank Hills ($1.3M - $2.5M)
Hillside homes with canyon views. Higher property values mean higher probate fees—a $2M home triggers $66,000+ in statutory fees without a trust.
Toluca Lake Adjacent ($1.5M - $3M+)
Premium area bordering the celebrity enclave. Many entertainment executives live here. Complex estates often include multiple properties, business interests, and significant investment portfolios.
Chandler Park ($900K - $1.3M)
Family-friendly area near good schools. We often work with young families on their first trust—parents of young children establishing guardianship provisions and education trusts.
Serving all Burbank neighborhoods from Downtown to the Hills
The "Burbank Probate Tax": What Your Family Loses in Court
Statutory fees under CA Probate Code §10810. Mandatory for all Burbank estates in probate.
Stanley Mosk Courthouse: 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles
All Burbank probate goes here—not to Burbank court
There Is No Probate Court in Burbank
Many Burbank residents assume their estate will be handled at the Burbank courthouse on Olive Ave. Wrong. That courthouse only handles traffic tickets and misdemeanors.
All Burbank probate cases go to the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Downtown LA—a 15-mile drive through some of the worst traffic in America. Your family will make this trip multiple times over 18-24 months.
The Stanley Mosk Reality:
- 18-24 month average for case completion
- Multiple in-person hearings required
- All assets frozen until court approval
- 100% public record—every asset disclosed
A living trust ensures your successor trustee distributes assets privately from any Burbank bank—no Downtown LA courthouse, no 2-year wait, no public disclosure.
How to Create Your Burbank Living Trust
Complete Questionnaire
Answer questions about your Burbank property, entertainment assets, and beneficiaries (15 min)
Attorney Review
Attorney Rozsa Gyene reviews for entertainment-specific provisions and CA compliance
Sign Locally
Visit our office (10 min from Burbank) or use any local notary on Olive Ave
Fund Your Trust
Transfer your home via Grant Deed + update SAG/WGA beneficiary forms
What Burbank Entertainment Professionals Say
★★★★★ 4.9/5 average from 127 reviews
"As a Warner Bros employee, I needed a trust that properly handled my residuals and pension. Attorney Gyene understood entertainment assets better than any attorney I've met. Her office is 10 minutes from the studio lot."
— Chris M., Media District
Warner Bros, November 2024
"We own a 1940s home in Magnolia Park. Attorney Gyene knew exactly how to structure our trust for Prop 19 and even helped us understand the deed recording process. True local expertise."
— Patricia L., Magnolia Park
Verified Client, October 2024
"My father was a SAG member with decades of residuals. When he passed without a trust, we spent 20 months in probate trying to sort out the royalty streams. I created my own trust with Attorney Gyene in one week. Don't wait."
— Daniel R., Burbank Hills
SAG-AFTRA Member, September 2024
Frequently Asked Questions: Burbank Living Trusts
How much does probate cost for a Burbank home?
For a median Burbank home valued at $1.2 million, California statutory probate fees total approximately $50,000. Under CA Probate Code §10810, fees are based on gross market value. In the Burbank Hills or Toluca Lake-adjacent areas where homes reach $1.5M+, fees climb to $56,000 or more. A living trust avoids these fees entirely for just $400.
Can a living trust hold entertainment industry residuals and royalties?
Yes. A properly drafted California living trust includes specific "Assignment of Personal Property" provisions to hold entertainment assets including SAG-AFTRA residuals, WGA royalties, music publishing rights, and intellectual property. Our attorney-reviewed trusts include entertainment-specific language critical for Burbank's Media District professionals. Learn about funding your trust →
Where is the probate court for Burbank estates?
All Burbank probate cases are filed at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse at 111 N. Hill St. in Downtown Los Angeles—not in Burbank. The Burbank courthouse on Olive Ave only handles criminal and traffic matters. Probate backlog is currently 18-24 months. A living trust ensures your family never enters this system.
10 Minutes from the Warner Bros Lot
Our Glendale office is closer to Burbank than many attorneys who claim to "serve" the area. Unlike national online services, you can actually visit us. Attorney Rozsa Gyene (Bar #208356) has over 25 years of California estate planning experience—including countless entertainment industry clients.
450 N Brand Blvd, Suite 600, Glendale, CA 91203
Just 10 minutes from Downtown Burbank via Glenoaks Blvd
Also Serving Nearby Communities
Burbank Estate Planning Statistics
With Burbank home values averaging $1,050,000, families face significant probate exposure. A living trust bypasses the court system entirely, saving your family an estimated $50,000 in fees and 18-24 months of waiting.
Burbank Probate Court Information
If you pass away without a living trust in Burbank, your estate will go through probate at:
Stanley Mosk Courthouse
111 N Hill Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Current backlog: 18-24 months for initial hearings
Even "simple" probate cases in this jurisdiction routinely take 18-24 months from filing to final distribution. A living trust allows your family to avoid this courthouse entirely, transferring assets privately without court involvement.
Burbank Neighborhoods We Serve
Our online living trust services are available to families throughout Burbank:
Plus: Burbank Hills, Airport area, Warner Bros area, Disney area, and all Burbank neighborhoods.
