Real Property Transfers in Estate Planning: Tax Rules, Transfers in Trust, Community Property, Creditor Rights

Ms. Scharre is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the California Board of Legal Specialization. Her practice focuses on sophisticated wealth transfer strategies for high net worth clients, including founders, individuals at startups, and clients with large real estate portfolios. Ms. Scharre's prior practice at a boutique trusts and estates firm makes her uniquely equipped to solve both the legal and tax issues that families face as well as the practical issues of family dynamics, succession planning, and wealth preservation. Her estate planning practice includes working with clients to develop and execute their legacy goals including drafting estate planning and entity documents. Ms. Scharre also represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in all aspects of trust and estate administration including preparation of trust accountings and estate and gift tax returns. She also provides advice on property tax issues for clients with large real estate portfolios and provides strategies to limit reassessment. Ms. Scharre is a prolific speaker and provides informative presentations regarding estate planning, charitable giving, and special needs issues to professional organizations and her local community. She has been a Lecturer at both Santa Clara School of Law and UCSC Extension. Ms. Scharre serves on the Executive Committee of the Trusts and Estates Section of the California Lawyers Association and on the Board of Trustees of the Silicon Valley Bar Association (SVBA), where she is also Treasurer. She previously served as Executive Committee Chair and Education Co-Chair of the SVBA. Ms. Scharre is a member of the Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Section of the State Bar of California.

Mr. Schwefel is a partner at Murtaugh LLP and advises fiduciaries, families, business owners, and nonprofit organizations on trust and estate matters where legal complexity intersects with real-world decision-making. His practice spans estate planning, trust administration, and trust and estate litigation, allowing him to guide clients through the full lifecycle of wealth transfer, business succession, and dispute. Mr. Schwefel is often brought in when situations become sensitive or high-stakes, including breakdowns between beneficiaries, scrutiny of fiduciary decisions, or estates involving closely held businesses, significant real estate holdings, or charitable interests. He frequently works with business owners in advance of liquidity events, helping them evaluate and implement estate planning strategies prior to a sale to preserve wealth and maximize available tax efficiencies.