One of the things that makes managing legal issues so challenging is that the laws are always changing. This blog is designed to help you stay current on many of the latest changes.
Another Hollywood icon, Mickey Rooney, passed away recently at the age of 93. He began acting when he was a child; over many decades he made over a hundred movies ranging all the way from musicals with Judy Garland to biographies like “Bill” and family classics like “The Black Stallion.” Mr. Rooney’s extensive career and […]
read more...Kelly Phillips Erb wrote recently in her Forbes column about reducing tax-time stress by getting an extension from the IRS. It’s true, the yearly task of doing taxes causes anxiety for a lot of people, including, probably, tax preparers. Applying for and receiving an extension from the IRS gives you more time to get things […]
read more...Reverse mortgages have lately gained popularity as a way to raise cash using your home as security. A high-profile lawsuit was filed against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on behalf of all widowed homeowners who were adversely affected by the terms of a federal policy regarding reverse mortgages. Imagine facing the loss […]
read more...What is it that nobody wants to talk about but everyone should absolutely put in writing? Well, here’s a question that answers that question: what do you want to happen to your remains after you die? Of course, there are traditional burials available in traditional cemeteries. Some people want their bodies donated to science. There […]
read more...A recent movie featured a sperm donor who finds out he has hundreds of living biological children. Is art imitating life here? This past year, a well-known reality show winner revealed he had recently met some of his biological children, after having donated sperm several years back. From my point of view as an estate […]
read more...A “living trust”, known as an “inter vivos” trust, is different from the kind of trust that only comes into being after a person dies. With a living trust, the person creating the trust, may appoint himself or herself as the trustee. That means you’ll manage, and benefit from, the assets contained in the trust […]
read more...Recently, the LA Times took note of The Captain and Tennille, a famous 70’s pop star couple that is now divorcing. Now, this sort of thing does happen often, and here in LA, sometimes celebrity splits are considered practically family news if you’re a big fan. As an estate planning attorney, I’m a big fan […]
read more...California is a “community property” state. “Community property” refers to any property that is acquired by either spouse during a legally valid marriage. This designation comes into play when dividing marital assets as well as in estate-related situations when a spouse dies. According to California community property law, it is illegal for anyone to bequeath […]
read more...This cautionary tale begins with an unusual story posted in Forbes Magazine, about a TV commercial and a legendary rock star’s final wishes. A recent TV commercial created by the company GoldieBlox contained a song by the Beastie Boys to which different (parody) lyrics had been added. Soon after the commercial aired, GoldieBlox was sued […]
read more...The person you give durable power of attorney for health care is a matter for very serious consideration, because the responsibilities are big. They might at some point literally hold the power of your life and death in their hands. A California law known as the Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) allows you to grant […]
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