With Your Family in Mind

If you’re convinced that your marriage is irretrievably broken and you’re headed for divorce, here are ten steps to take.Consult an attorney: Become informed about your legal rights and responsibilities. For example, suppose you decide to take the children and live at your parents’ house until...

Communicating with someone who has dementia requires a compassionate and understanding approach. Dementia is a condition that affects memory, cognitive abilities, and communication skills, making it essential to adapt your communication style to effectively connect with the person while...

I recently read a well-meaning piece of encouragement on social media. It was entitled, “Creating A Day Worth Living.” As I read through an itemized list of advice, I wondered how people in different phases of adulthood would define a “worthy” life. Instructions on this list included getting up...

Mediation is the smart and sensible way to resolve many divorces, but mediation doesn’t come without problems. The first problem is when people want to use mediation to rush their divorce. There is usually one spouse who wants out of the marriage fast, while the other is still trying to process...

Medicare recently announced that seniors and disabled citizens will receive more access to the “Medicare Extra Help Program” beginning January 1, 2024. It is estimated that the expansion of benefits could enable up to 3 million people to reduce their prescription drug costs.The popular Medicare...

As a family law attorney, I frequently hear this. The first thing I tell clients is that people who spend a lot of time worrying about whether or not something is “fair” tend to have difficulties while going through a divorce. Divorce is a process, governed by laws and precedent. Outcomes are...

Osteoporosis is a debilitating condition that affects millions of seniors worldwide, leading to fragile bones, fractures, and a significant decline in quality of life. However, this condition is preventable, and with the right strategies, seniors can maintain healthy bone density and reduce...

California is a community property state, but that begs the question, what is community property? The California Family Code defines community property as: “Except as otherwise provide by statute, all property, whether real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the...

Many people ask me if they need a Trust. My answer: it depends on your circumstances. When determining whether a trust is needed, I ask about assets (is there real estate and how is it titled?), who will inherit and how do they manage money, do family members get along, and many other...

There are two types of support in California. One is child support and the other is spousal support. There are two types of orders in California dissolution cases. One is a temporary order during the pendency of the case, called a pendente lite order. And the other is an order after judgment....

​It’s never easy being a parent. We constantly struggle, wondering if we’re doing the best we can for our kids. It’s so much pressure knowing that you only get a short window of time to prepare them to become responsible, healthy, and emotionally balanced adults. For some divorced parents,...

School is out and summer has officially begun! For many parents summer break can pose a logistical and legal challenge of how to handle visitation while navigating all the plans you have for the children. Especially if you plan to enroll your children into a summer camp/program that extends...

Regular exercise is a key factor in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and this applies to individuals of all age groups. However, the significance of exercise becomes even more vital for seniors. As individuals age, their bodies undergo various changes, making physical activity essential for...

Unfortunately, not all families get along. If you are having problems with one of your children, you may not want them to benefit from your estate. There are several potential strategies for dealing with an estranged child in your estate plan. Depending on the level of estrangement and the...

Summer is officially here, and now, more than ever, it’s time to have fun in the sun at Oakmont Senior Living. Whether we are sipping cool drinks in the shade next to one of our elegant water features, or dining “al fresco” with ambiance at dusk, we have lots of exciting plans! Stop by Oakmont...

In California, Trustees have an important legal obligation when managing a Trust, called a Trustee Accounting. This is a report that must be given to the Trust beneficiaries, which details all financial activities related to the Trust. It is a complete record of investments, distributions,...

When you decide to proceed with a family law case, whether it involves a dissolution of marriage, determination of parentage, restraining orders, or post dissolution matters, always remember to hire an experienced family law attorney. What does that mean?1. An experienced family law attorney is...