With Your Family in Mind

Mom and Dad had a revocable living trust, prepared many years ago by an experienced attorney.  At that time, it was fully funded: their house and financial accounts had been re-titled to Mom and Dad as trustees of their trust.

It’s wedding season.  You can probably reach out an arm and touch someone who is planning the big day.  Whether it is you, your child, a friend or a family member, the idea of a prenup should not be passed off as something only for the rich and famous; nor should it have the cruel stigma that has been associated with it.  With divorce rates on the rise and the financial market unsteady, having a prenup in place can help save a marriage as much as it can ease a marriage breakup.

When filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a debtor may face several tough choices.  One of those is whether to reaffirm a vehicle loan, or surrender the vehicle.  If the debtor surrenders the vehicle, the loan is discharged even if the loan balance exceeds the value of the vehicle.  If the debtor wants to retain a vehicle that has a secured loan, he/she must reaffirm or redeem the loan in order to keep the vehicle without risk of repossession.

On Saturday, July 14 Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley gathered enthusiastic marchers for the Fourth Annual “High Heel-a-Thon… to Stomp Out Domestic and Teen-Dating Violence.”

Since having my past life regression done at CQH with Tina and Betsy, I now live a grateful and fulfilled life. On June 12, I was reborn.  I say reborn because this event changed my life.  I could even compare my experience to those that have had near death experiences, except for having to “die.”  

Your home is like none other, and Farmers homeowners’ policies were designed with homeowners like you in mind, offering the coverage you want that may help you keep your peace of mind.  Your house, personal property, and separate structures are covered for many of the everyday risks you face as a homeowner.

At times, the struggles we face and the tragedies we see playing out in the real world can be overwhelming.  While it is difficult to deal with our own issues, we often feel totally helpless when considering the plights of those less fortunate than ourselves.  However, this November, we can choose to help children in need on the other side of the world by simply taking a walk: the ZOE Rescue Walk.

Summertime and the living is easy, or is it?  The summer months are often a time of great frustration for parents who want their teens engaged in positive activities instead of spending the summer on the couch watching television, playing video games and talking with their friends nonstop 24-hours a day.  Many parents feel guilty because they can’t be home on a daily basis with their teen during the summer months simply because they must work.

Summertime means family fun and children require a range of activities that are social, educational, and memorable.  Since they have time away from school, being involved with others is especially important.  Help them develop experiences worth remembering. 

We have had more than one disgruntled spouse complain that the action of their ex has increased their cost of litigation.  “They’ve propounded too much discovery!”, “They won’t give us the documents we’ve requested!”, “They are bringing unnecessary hearings!”, and “That attorney is being a jerk!” are just some of the complaints we’ve heard from our clients.

If your parenting goes as normally planned, your teenager at some point will leave home and live independently whether he goes to college, or gets a job and moves out.  Teaching your teen independent living skills will help him become independent so that he will be able to live on his own, which is the goal of a successful young adult and his parents. 

Getting your whole family involved in physical activity shouldn’t require bribes or threats. If you plan it right—and create the right atmosphere—you can have them begging to exercise with you. Here are some helpful tips to get your family off the couch and in shape.

When it comes to negotiating a contract, one often-overlooked subject is ADR—Alternative Dispute Resolution.  The whole purpose of your contract is to set forth the rights and obligations of each of the parties.  But what happens if one of the parties doesn’t live up to its end of the bargain?  As the name implies, alternative dispute resolution is an alternative to the high costs of litigation.

In simple terms, one does not usually equate modern technology with seniors.  Smart phones, computers or other trendy electronic gadgets can be navigated by younger generations in their sleep, but may be a bit more complicated or of no interest to older generations.  However, modern technology as it applies to seniors, especially those living home alone, is more high-tech than you may think.

When an individual with debts can no longer afford to pay on their accounts, creditors have a variety of collection options.  Most creditors begin by sending past due notices or demands for the delinquent amount.  Some creditors will attempt to get payments through phone calls, often harassing the debtor at work or home.  Creditors have different policies on how long they will continue with phone calls and letters to try to obtain voluntary payments.  They often make decisions based on the debtor’s job situation, assets and prior payment history.

A recent case has been remanded back to Orange County Superior Court that may open the door to a person being able to bring an action for the loss of an “expected” inheritance because of the intentional actions of another person.
The case has to do with an individual who had a prepared will that divided his estate between his same sex partner and his sister. 

What do you do if you, or someone you love, has a drinking or drug problem?  Dealing with addiction is complicated, even for trained professionals.  Too often, family members feel they can contain the situation, but typically the behavior only spins further out of control.  

Are your fights getting out of hand?  Try this...Couples Communication rule one The Art of Listening!  Most people enter into an argument with their own agenda.  “I want you to hear my side, agree with me, and admit you are wrong.”  Often what accompanies that is a world of bullying, yelling and replays of the past.