With Your Family in Mind

It’s a love hate time of year. Back to school means the kids are back on schedule, but it also means it’s time to buy new books, purchase school supplies, get carpools organized and so on… Add divorce or separation into the mix, and your ‘to do’ list just got that much longer! Like anything,...

My name is Helen Mayer and I founded Otter, a childcare marketplace now in Santa Clarita. We match families who need childcare with stay-at-home parents who get paid to take care of kids in their community. I started Otter because I truly believe in Otter’s mission of connecting families within...

For seniors, maintaining social connections and staying in touch with loved ones not only improves quality of life, it improves health. Socially isolated seniors have a 59% greater risk of mental and physical decline than those who do not experience social isolation, and socialization has been...

If you have family member with special needs or a disability, you need to be very careful about your Estate Plan. Many people with special needs receive Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI), and receive state and federally provided programs and monetary assistance. For some benefits and...

My last jury trial ended on Halloween of 2019. It was a unanimous jury verdict in my client’s favor after a very short deliberation. I now have a monster jury trial set for July 25, 2022. The final status conference date, which is the date that most things have to be done by, is July 1, 2022....

An Ostler/Smith or Smith/Ostler Order is an additional child or spousal support order that accounts for when the income of one or both parties fluctuates depending on bonuses, overtime, commissions, etc. Family Code Section 4058 details many items considered a person’s annual gross income,...

Everyone is concerned today about inflation, as we continue to witness heavy price increases, especially in consumer goods and energy. Thus, we decided to address the inflation issue again.Economic forecasters, such as Kiplinger and The Economist, believe that inflation will ease somewhat...

My name is Helen Mayer and I founded Otter, a childcare marketplace now in Santa Clarita. We match families who need childcare with stay-at-home parents who get paid to take care of kids in their community. Our company has already put over $20 million into the hands of stay-at-home parents. At...

There have been many cases that filter through the judicial system which include lies and betrayals. At that moment betrayal is discovered, people often wonder “can it get much worse” and then it inevitability does. Whether your betrayal comes from an addict who drinks or does drugs, a...

I’m sure most of us have heard of “The Golden Rule”. As we have hopefully been raised and/or will raise our own children, The Golden Rule has always been the standard…”Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. It has always been a good way to raise good humans. Well, with almost 21...

When do I Need an Estate Plan? I am asked this question frequently, and the answer is: it de-pends. Every adult needs a Durable Power of Attorney, and Advance Healthcare Directive, and a HIPAA release. Having these legal documents, regardless income level or value of assets, is critical. Name...

  “At Circle of Hope, you are not alone.” For over 18 years of serving the financial, emotional and educational needs of Santa Clarita’s cancer community, we’ve come to understand that practically no message is more welcomed than this. The Wellness Center at Circle of Hope offers many...

Naming a trust as a beneficiary of your retirement plan can be a good idea in some circumstances, but it can be dangerous if you are worried about creditors coming after your estate.There are many valid reasons to name a trust as beneficiary of a retirement plan, whether it is a 401(k), a...

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...

  Otter is a new childcare platform in Santa Clarita that matches families who need care with stay-at-home parents who can get paid to look after kids in their community, while still watching their own children. Otter has put over $20 million collectively into the hands of stay-at-home...

This is especially true if you have to live with them pending a divorce. Unfortunately, sometimes finances don’t allow one party to move out right away. And the fighting continues and escalates.Courts can order “exclusive use and possession” of the house to one party if there is evidence of...