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NOTE: As always, the information on this website is for general information and entertainment only. Do not rely on this information to take a course of action or refrain from taking action - hire a lawyer. Photo by Tierra Mallorca on Unsplash California Proposition 19, Changes Certain Property Tax Rules. Legislative Constitutional Amendment. (2020) Summary:… Continue reading Proposition 19 Passed Modifying Tax Assessments on Inherited Real Property

Photo by Hugo Aitken on Unsplash When I moved out of my hometown to go to law school, my grandmother would send me packages of homemade tortillas and chocolate chip cookies. She sent these little tastes of home, not because there were no Mexican grandmothers making tortillas in my new town, but as a way… Continue reading Want to Give Money to Your Heirs in Your Trust? Think again

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash My titles are many: attorney, counselor, advocate. I am also someone’s daughter, sister, friend and wife. But the title that has taught me the most and challenged me to constantly step-up to be a better person, is that of mother. The lessons I learn as “mother” seem to always have far deeper… Continue reading Mother, May I?

Creating a comprehensive estate plan is one of the most important things you can do to protect your children and using a Revocable Living Trust provides flexibility, protects children’s privacy, avoids the cost and delay of probate, and protects the inheritance from the impulses of youth. Every trust must have a trustee and naming a… Continue reading Choosing the Right Trustee

Are you considering all of your assets? When we think about our assets, we most often think of things that we buy or earn, like cash or cars. However, we can also create assets - our intellectual property. Creations like music compositions, dance performances, mobile apps, etc. can be a source of income for yourself,… Continue reading Protect Your Creative Work

Photo by Karthik Chandran on Unsplash Most lawyers are old fashioned - we like paper, regular mail, signatures in pen, the oxford comma.  A lawyer’s duty is to protect and defend their clients and that means protecting privacy. I think I can speak for most attorneys when I say that cloud-based services make us uncomfortable.  Like the famous… Continue reading We Are the World

Q: As a married couple, should you hold your home as joint tenants or as community property? Answer: It depends. Before we get started, make sure you read this disclaimer. If you have any questions about your own circumstances, talk to your attorney or contact me to schedule a consultation. When you bought your home,… Continue reading Real Estate Considerations for Couples

What is a Step-Family? A step family can include Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com A couple where at least one person, and maybe both, have children from a prior relationshipSame-sex couples where at least one partner has biological or non-biological children from a prior relationshipA family with adult children who are in second or… Continue reading Planning for your Step Family

Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels.com Many people are turning to online estate planning platforms during the Covid-19 pandemic. This could be a good option for some people. Some people with very simple estates can use DIY forms and systems effectively. If you go with an online DIY service, consider one that provides attorneys to… Continue reading Should I create my estate plan online?

Photo by Abstrakt Xxcellence Studios on Pexels.com I came across this article by Stephen Meyers about his work as a U.S.P.S mail carrier and I was transported back to the summers I passed on my grandmother's porch when she would tell my sister and I stories about her varied life and her many jobs. Like… Continue reading Essential Messengers