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Why You Need a Will with your Trust
Most people think that once they have a trust, a will is unnecessary. After all, both transfer property after death.
But as great as trust is at avoiding probate, it is not perfect. Estate planning attorneys regularly recommend their clients get "pour-over will" at the same time as their trust.
The reason a will is needed is that a trust only operates on property that it owns. Any property not in the name of your trust, and that does not have another legal means of being transferred, is part of your probate estate.
Common examples are vehicles, bank accounts and other personal property. The distribution under intestacy - the generic distribution plan for people without a will - may conflict with the trust's distribution plan.
A pour-over will is a special type of will that "pours" any assets that are in your probate estate into your trust. This way, assets that are not in your trust, whether they were forgotten, accidentally taken out or acquired after the trust was created, will still be distributed under the terms of the trust.
Anything not in the trust at the time of death needs to be given to the trustee to be managed and distributed according to the terms of the trust. Where the assets making up the probate estate are of small value, it can be transferred outside of probate using affidavits and similar procedures.
Law Attorney Michael Yeager 471-2177

City of Santa Clarita Offers Guide to Opening a Small Business
Ever wonder what it takes to open a small business in the City of Santa Clarita? Well, you're in luck - because there's a guide for that! Santa Clarita is a business-friendly community that recognizes the many contributions of small businesses like yours. The City's "Guide to Opening a Small Business" helps you through the basics of successfully opening a small business in the City of Santa Clarita, encompassing federal, state, county and city regulations and requirements. Physical copies of the guide are available at City Hall or online.
econdev.santaclarita.gov

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Starting a Business? Consider these Marketing Questions
by Therese Edwards
What are your Points of Differentiation?
While you're building your business, you've no doubt checked out the competition. Your points of differentiation will help you determine what makes your business different - and, ideally, better. By identifying where you stand out - whether it be customer service, price, value, depth or breadth of your services or products, etc. - you'll be better able to craft a compelling marketing story that will track with your target audience.
Where does your Audience Spend Time?
You'll likely need to advertise and promote your business once you open - which means you need to get your messaging in front of your target audience. A great way to identify which advertising channels may work best for you is to determine where your audience "hangs out." Are they spending their hours scrolling social media, reading a local magazine, on a bus or in a car? Do they frequent another non-competitive business consistently? Determining which channels most appeal to your audience will help you decide where to spend your ad dollars.
Are You Ready to Collect Data?
"Data is king" is a common marketing utterance. Have you figured out how you'll collect - and use - client email addresses, leads and contacts? Do you have systems and plans in place for client nurturing? Will your business be "high touch" - with lots of intentional outreach to existing and potential clients? Figuring out how to get client data - and use it respectfully and wisely with the goal of delivering additional value to your community - should be a big part of your marketing plans.
Therese Edwards has taught marketing and public relations at the university level for 23 years and has served Southern California small- and medium-sized organizations as a business strategist for over two decades. Have a marketing question? E-mail her at tedwards@insidescv.com.


You're Feeling your Best in Birkenstocks
Birkenstock is a renowned footwear brand that has been synonymous with comfort and quality for many years. Here are just a few reasons why you'll love your Birkenstock shoes.
Contoured Footbed
Birkenstock's signature feature is their contoured cork footbed, designed to support the arches of the foot and promote proper posture.
Natural Materials
Birkenstock shoes are made with high-quality natural materials, such as cork, latex and jute, which contribute to their durability and comfort.
Deep Heel Cup
The deep heel cup helps to stabilize the foot and maintain natural cushioning.
Wide Toe Box
Birkenstock shoes offer a wide toe box, allowing for natural toe movement and reducing pressure on the toes.
Adjustable Straps
Many Birkenstock styles feature adjustable straps, enabling a customized fit for various foot shapes.
Longevity
Birkenstock footwear is known for its durability and long lifespan, often lasting for many years with proper care.
Popular styles from Birkenstock include the Arizona, Gizeh and Boston, each offering unique features while maintaining the brand's commitment to comfort and support.
Try on your next favorite pair of shoes at Comfort Shoes in Valencia. 255-2033

More Than a Dealership, it's a Friendship
Valencia Acura Earns "Best of SCV" Accolades for 20th Year
When Don and Cheri Fleming opened Valencia Acura in 1997, they established a dealership culture that treats guests the way they wanted to be treated. At Valencia Acura, customers are more than just customers - they are friends.
The relationships developed with buyers extend beyond sales. As a family-owned and operated dealership, owner Don Fleming ensures that the friendship doesn't end when a customer drives off the lot; it only begins.
This signature friendship experience continues into the award-winning Service and Parts departments, where a highly-skilled staff earns high marks for industry expertise and training. Acura has built a gold-standard reputation for precision performance, crafted style and affordable luxury.
The team at Valencia Acura works to make the dream of owning an Acura a reality while providing the best car-buying experience possible. Recently, Valencia Acura was voted "Best New Car Dealership" by readers of The Signal, marking the 20th year of "Best of SCV" recognition. Valencia Acura extends its heartfelt thanks to its friends and customers for helping them earn such high honors.
Valencia Acura 255-3000

Get Support for your Next Venture with the Small Business Development Center Hosted by College of the Canyons
If you're ready to start or grow your small business, the LA SBDC provides solutions through one-on-one advising, innovative workshops and in-depth programs at no cost. The SBDC is the SBA's largest service program and provides high quality business and economic development assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs. From webinars on securing a commercial lease to monetizing your YouTube channel, maintaining a website and understanding contract basics, advising appointments and more, you're just a few clicks away from a better business.
cocsbdc.org