With Your Family in Mind

What is probate?  Probate is the court procedure whereby we establish the authenticity and sufficiency of a decedent’s will, if any, identify and evaluate the decedent’s assets, pay administrative expenses and approved claims of creditors and distribute the remaining estate to the beneficiaries.

We often hear or use the word dementia, but do we truly understand its meaning?  Dementia is defined by the Alzheimer’s Association as “the loss of mental function in two or more areas such as language, memory, visual spatial abilities or judgment severe enough to interfere with daily life.”  Dementia is not a disease, but rather a broad set of symptoms that can accompany certain diseases and physical conditions.  Some examples of diseases that can cause dementia are Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Pick’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.  Brain injuries, brain tumors, stroke, depression, nutritional deficiencies, infections, thyroid problems and drug reactions are examples of physical conditions that can cause or mimic dementia. 

Wait,  hold on.  Is it really that time already? Those were my exact thoughts when I was told that my labor would be induced just a few days before my due date. I was torn between the fact that I loved being pregnant and was content that way, but also the fact that I couldn’t wait to meet my little Sophia. I guess I felt happy, yet scared at the same time.

At this time of the year, I often pick up my phone to hear yet another parent disturbed over the failing grades and poor motivation of their bright, even gifted, student.  The frustration, anger and helpless feelings experienced by parents affects family life, parent/child bonds, relationships with school personnel and the child’s social relationships.  School failure can be especially disturbing when the child has done very well in elementary school and then grades begin to slide upon transition to junior high school.  It is particularly worrisome when the pattern of declining performance continues beyond the seventh grade.

My husband and I were blessed with the birth of our son, Joshua Golshani, on July 10.  Like most expectant parents, we prepared for our bundle of joy by doing things such as decorating the nursery, buying a layette, partaking in a baby shower, selecting baby names and purchasing a stroller. 

We are often asked how expensive is it to get divorced.  We know our clients mean the cost of professionals to manage the divorce, not property division or support issues, which we have addressed in earlier articles.  Like most professionals, mediators are compensated for the time they spend in providing services.

Many Magazine  of Santa Clarita readers have been asking about voice-acting classes.  I recently received two inquiries that were similar, so I’m going to answer them together.

I love Feng Shui. It changes lives for the better and as a Feng Shui consultant for more than 15 years, I’ve seen it happen too many times to count.

Seven years ago this October, Real Life Church began in a movie theater at Valencia Town Center.  Over the past seven years Real Life has been on an wild and exciting ride.  We’ve been welcomed by the City of Santa Clarita, partnered with local community agencies to benefit those in need, built an orphanage in Uganda and have even been able to purchase land on the corner of McBean Parkway and Grandview to build our own facility. 

When the issue of estate planning comes up, some people tell me, “Oh, we’ve already taken care of that.”  Then I ask them some specific questions about their plan, and the answer is almost always, “I don’t know.”  What kind of a plan is that?  That’s like saying you just had surgery, but you’re not sure what surgery it was.

Spouses who have been ordered to pay child or spousal support sometimes wonder if they can find relief from making support payments by taking a lower-paying job.  What these payers must realize is that taking a pay cut may not mean a lower support payment.

The death of a spouse is a tragedy like no other.  While experiencing shock, numbness, loss and a wide variety of other emotions, the surviving spouse must try to work as an administrator, gathering important papers and taking care of business matters.  An otherwise intelligent and competent individual who is grieving may be unable to process information, to concentrate, or to follow through on everyday tasks.  Often the surviving spouse simply cannot overcome emotions in order to clearly take control of the necessary administrative tasks.  

With more than 70,000 children removed from their parent’s homes due to abuse and neglect and 119,000 children waiting for adoptive homes in the United States, there is a great need for caring adults to provide a loving, nurturing home as either foster or adoptive parents.  A parent orientation will be held on Thursday night, September 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, located at 27265 Luther Drive, Canyon Country.  Those adults interested, single or married over the age of 21, please attend.  

It shouldn’t take a crisis to learn about your parent’s finances.  But it often happens that way.  Even for close-knit families, talking about money is not an easy topic.  I have found that just as your parents took care of you when you were growing up, there’s a good chance that at some point you’ll need to help them.  And with the rising older population, this conversation may even fall upon nieces, nephews, other family members, or friends.

For the past two years running, Lowe’s Music has earned the votes of the people in the community to become voted The Best Music Store in the Santa Clarita Valley.  Lowe’s Music is a friendly store with knowledgeable staff and some of the best teachers in the Santa Clarita Valley.  With over 265 students, Lowe’s offers fun, educational lessons on just about every instrument you can name. 

One of the major concerns for parents with children with disabilities is how to provide for their financial future.  Here are some legal tips:  

As I am waiting to deliver my beautiful bundle of joy, I do have to admit that these past nine months have been better than I ever expected.  Well actually it’s almost 10 months but who’s counting, right?  I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, a healthy pregnancy and a wonderful support group around me.  I could not ask for more.  I am so excited and cannot wait to experience motherhood.  Everything is ready and now all I am doing is waiting for her to make her grand entrance.

What do you want?  Do you want something new to wear?  Do you want to try a great new restaurant?  How about a new sports car?  Have you taken a cruise to the Bahamas?  Have you tried all of these and it still doesn’t do it?