With Your Family in Mind

There are warning signs. More often than not, it is gradual rather than a sudden transition from happily married to icicles in the room. If you see divorce coming, or even the possibility of it coming, there are some very important steps you can take to protect yourself and your future. Step 1:...

 A graduate of Vassar College, Jordana Ruhland began her career as an editor for Bon Appetit magazine. Her life-long love of all things culinary has led her down a path that combines her desire to help other achieve better health and wellness with her foodie background. Jordana completed a...

One of the most useful, flexible and cost-effective legal devices available is the Revocable Living Trust. If properly drafted and funded, a trust can enable us to avoid probate and perhaps save hundreds of thousands of dollars of federal estate tax. Its successful implementation depends on the...

 The main purpose of a will or trust is to direct where your assets will go after you die, but it can also be used to instruct your heirs on how to pay your debts. If someone dies with outstanding debt, your representative is responsible for making sure those debts are paid. This may require...

 When it comes to Alzheimer’s awareness, one of the most vital components is education, not only on what Alzheimer’s is, but what research is being done to find a cure. Early detection, one of the aspects of Alzheimer’s education that was once less emphasized, is now receiving more attention....

That’s hearsay! Non-lawyers love throwing around the word “hearsay.” But do they really know what it means? Hearsay is an out of court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter being asserted. Try explaining that to your nine-year-old. I hope you have better luck than I did. With that...

 Divorce presents many financial challenges. If you’ve acquired significant 401k funds during marriage, your retirement account may be at the center of your divorce. Determining how to equitably divide these benefits often lies at the heart of a settlement agreement, as each spouse has the...

 Do your important legal documents reflect our changing times? Is your Power of Attorney, Healthcare Directive, and Trust growing mold on your shelf? Here are some basic questions to ask yourself: • Do your documents address our digital age, the new laws, and the undisputable fact that we are...

October 15 is White Cane Safety Day. When this day was first established in 1963, President Johnson noted that, “The white cane in our society has become one of the symbols of a blind person’s ability to come and go on his own. Its use has promoted courtesy and special consideration to the...

 Do you have old debts in the past that you haven’t paid and are wondering if the creditors can still come back now and collect from you after so many years? This is a common question that I am often asked. As a bankruptcy attorney, I see a lot of people in this situation. At some time in their...

 Grandpa committed an act of kindness: He executed a living trust to ensure that after his death, his assets would be distributed in accordance with his wishes, without the expense and inconvenience of   probate proceedings. He didn’t want to spend much money on estate planning, so he utilized...

 California is a community property state, meaning the Equitable Division rule divides marital property equally between spouses, however, exceptions exist. Spouses owe a duty of financial care and loyalty to each other and can’t cheat or misuse marriage income or assets, they must deal honestly...

 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,...

There are certain provisions people frequently forget to put in a will or estate plan that can have a big impact on their heirs. Alternate Beneficiaries: An estate plan should include at least one alternate beneficiary in case the named beneficiary does not outlive you. If a will names a...

 One of the more horrific stories in the news this week was the salon shooting in Seal Beach, California. It was alleged that at least eight people were killed by a man enraged over a custody battle. Issues of custody commonly arise in Family Law cases. But they do not all have to be bitter...

 We checked in with seven College of the Canyons faculty members to chat about what’s new and exciting on campus this fall, how their programs are creating career opportunities for our community members, and what future COC students can be doing now to prepare for a successful pathway into...

Few people truly understand what could happen to their retirement plans after they pass away. In theory, leaving retirement plans to your heirs seems pretty simple. All you need is a beneficiary designation form where you designate who gets what. In real life though, what happens to retirement...