With Your Family in Mind

Not only do the public and my clients frequently ask me this question, but also sometimes other attorneys, even estate planning attorneys, ask me this question! So why all the confusion? Well, for starters, both terms, “elder law” and “estate planning” are misnomers to a certain degree. After...

No, the screaming isn’t from you or your child. Maybe it is because Halloween is the first of the fall holiday season you are about to be dealing with holidays and the children. After Halloween comes Thanksgiving followed by Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza and then the New Year. So, I think the...

Undue influence occurs when someone exerts pressure on an individual, causing that individual to act contrary to his or her wishes to the benefit of the influencer or the influencer’s friends. The pressure can take the form of deception, harassment, threats or isolation. Often the influencer...

Short answer: Because Personal Care Contracts can offer big benefits! How, you wonder? Well, before we get to that, it’s important to note that most children are willing to voluntarily care for a parent without any thought of compensation. This is true despite the fact that the child providing...

Community Leaders, including two Hart District board members, administrators, a city representative and business partners, gathered together Thursday night in celebration of U.S. Constitution Day to mentor adult students preparing for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services civics test....

An Invisible Epidemic We all have days in which we are sad or have thoughts of hopelessness – but for many, it goes beyond that. Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is, by definition, a medical illness characterized by a chronic sense of sadness and loss of interest in...

It is not always easy being a sibling of a child with autism. However, sibling relationships create benefits for both children and sibling bonds are special. For your child with autism, siblings are often extremely beneficial for developing social skills and supporting the child with Autism...

Many seniors have high medical care costs (such as Assisted Living facility charges or private caregivers), but cannot afford the care on a long-term basis. Many seniors spend their life savings on care, and lose their house when skilled nursing care is needed. However, there are other options...

While most of us have probably lost our keys or misplaced something that was under our nose the whole time, a question many people have is, “Is there a reason to be concerned, or might it just be a Senior Moment?” A challenge for many families is often determining at what point a change in...

 Power: The ability to act or produce an effect; the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.  Merriam-Webster.Com. Power is a factor in every relationship. The relationship is affected by how it is distributed, balanced and expressed....

Have you ever thought of becoming a foster parent or wanted to adopt a child in need of permanency? Koinonia Family Services is now serving the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys, and is looking for families who want to provide safe, caring, and nurturing homes for children who are in need...

Tom Trustor was a 65-year-old widower with three grown sons. He lived in a house he’d bought ten years ago, after his wife died. According to the terms of Tom’s revocable living trust, after his death, all his assets would be distributed to his three sons, share and share alike, or to their...

 Held by the Alzheimer’s Association, The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and resources for Alzheimer’s care and support. In the United States, more than five million people are afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. Because of this, Walks are held annually...

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...

Increasingly, adult children are finding it necessary to balance the demands of their careers with the care needs of their growing children and aging parents. Sometimes referred to as the “Sandwich Generation,” these men and women are understandably feeling the strain of this juggling act and...

 Power: The ability to act or produce an effect; the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.  Merriam-Webster.Com. Power is a factor in every relationship. The relationship is affected by how it is distributed, balanced and expressed....

 If you’re convinced that your marriage is irretrievably broken and you’re headed for divorce, here are 10 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...