# Navigating Special Needs Trusts and Avoidable Probate Pitfalls in California

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/kgci-real-estate-on-air-6799065/navigating-special-needs-trusts-and-avoidable-probate-pitfalls-in-california
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/kgci-real-estate-on-air-6799065/navigating-special-needs-trusts-and-avoidable-probate-pitfalls-in-california.md
Podcast: [KGCI: Real Estate on Air](https://stenobird.com/podcast/kgci-real-estate-on-air-6799065)
Published: 2026-09-16T19:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://realestateonair.transistor.fm/episodes/navigating-special-needs-trusts-and-avoidable-probate-pitfalls-in-california
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/8cfc81de/2c5c253e.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/kgci-real-estate-on-air-6799065/episodes/navigating-special-needs-trusts-and-avoidable-probate-pitfalls-in-california
Duration seconds: 2816

## Resource

Summary: Attorney Aaron Feldman discusses the critical intersection of estate planning and special needs, emphasizing how a "third-party special needs trust" protects inheritance while maintaining a recipient's eligibility for needs-based benefits like SSI (which has a strict $2,000 asset limit). The episode outlines the complexities of California probate, including "Heggstad petitions" used to move omitted assets into trusts post-mortem. Agents will gain insights into the role of professional fiduciaries and the necessity of reviewing preliminary title reports immediately upon listing to identify liens or title issues.

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## Transcript

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