Category Archives: Uncategorized

Something which should be considered when you have an attorney prepare a living trust is to ensure that the trust is coordinated with any durable power of attorney which you may have prepared on your behalf. A durable power of … Continue reading →

I have been a little preoccupied recently, because I have been studying for my Series 65 Uniform Investment Advisor Law Examination. Today, I passed the examination. It allows me to register as an Investment Advisor in the State of California, … Continue reading →

I’m trying to contain myself. I have tried to draft a post twice, discussing advanced healthcare directives and the controversy concerning the Terri Schiavo case — as well as regarding a recent news story posted on Neil Hendershot’s blog here. … Continue reading →

Although I quietly placed his blog on my blogroll yesterday, I wanted to highlight a new blog in the estate planning arena, PA Elder, Estate & Fiduciary Law Blog by Mr. Neil Hendershot. It is an engaging, interesting blog I … Continue reading →

As I sit here, I can’t remember one person who really wants to hire an attorney (that is, ignoring the handful of truly litigious plaintiffs I have run across over the 20+ years of my practice). Most people don’t want … Continue reading →

I have heard the refrain so frequently. The initial telephone conversation conversation goes something like this, after I answer the phone: “Uh, hello. Can I help you?” “Why, yes. I’ve never had a will. I have such a small, simple … Continue reading →

I had the privilege of attending the San Gabriel Valley Chapter of the Financial Planning Association, today, to give a talk on defensive actions planners can take to minimize the risk of malpractice claims. My local FPA chapter consists of … Continue reading →

Next Wednesday on July 26, 2006, I will be presenting a seminar on malpractice avoidance by financial planners, entitled Judo for Financial Planners: Strategies for Avoiding Malpractice Claims, at the San Gabriel Valley Chapter of the Financial Planning Association.

Andrew Chamberlain, Gerald Prante and Patrick Fleenor of The Tax Foundation have prepared an excellent analysis advocating the elimination of the estate tax, entitled Death and Taxes: The Economics of the Federal Estate Tax. (Hat tip: Wills, Trusts & Estate … Continue reading →

Frequently, clients assume that a trust is necessary. After all, there is so much (dis)information out there about estate planning. So the question: Is a trust really cost effective? Usually. There are many factors involved, but if you own real … Continue reading →