Tragedies in life, and in death, are all too common among celebrities. But there are some celebrity tragedies that continued even past the celebrities’ deaths. Naturally, their families and friends mourned their loss, but I’m not talking about personal tragedies. I’m speaking about Estate Planning tragedies....Read More
Many of you may be familiar with the concept of an Estate Plan in California. And many of you may be aware of the fun new tv show, “Jane the Virgin” on CW. But are you aware that Monday night Jane and Rafael put together...Read More
When an individual has a condition that limits their ability to care for themselves, a conservatorship can be obtained through the court. There are several types of conservatorships most often sought in Contra Costa County. A limited conservatorship is necessary in the case of special...Read More
Does California Probate code make any allowances for differences or conflicts between an Advanced Healthcare Directive (California’s version of a Healthcare POA) and Power of Attorney? For example, a parent designates one child as their agent for the Healthcare Directive, and the other child as...Read More
Speaking out publicly for the first time since her husband’s death in 2014, Susan Schneider Williams, wife of actor Robin Williams, revealed that the coroner’s report revealed Robin had Lewy Body Dementia. Lewy Body Dementia is a fairly common form of dementia, affecting nearly 1.4...Read More
More than a few people have left wills which intentionally disinherit heirs. But few are known to have literally destroyed their own assets – thereby leaving nothing to be inherited or even fought over in court. But one Austrian grandmother was brave enough (or mad...Read More
While almost everyone has heard of Duke University, many are not familiar with the family who gave the prestigious school its name – in particular, the infamous heiress Doris Duke. For those of you who have not heard the name, or may need a reminder,...Read More
As a Trust & Estate Attorney in the SF East Bay, I strongly encourage friends, family, and clients to set up an Estate Plan – a trust in particular. Let there be no confusion – I do not recommend this because I believe attorneys should...Read More
While there are no official reports that Hugh Hefner has dementia, he provides a great example of an elderly parent remarrying later in life. For those of you out of the popular news loop – Hugh Hefner married 29 year old Crystal Harris in late 2012....Read More
With one in seven Americans over age 71 suffering from dementia, many families are familiar with the emotional and financial devastation caused by the disease. While the emotional cost is difficult to quantify, Mt. Sinai Medical Center recently published the first ever study documenting the...Read More
In March I wrote a post about the estate litigation involving Robin Williams’ children with his 3rd wife, Susan Schneider Williams. The lawsuit was initially filed by Susan just a few months after Williams committed suicide in August of 2014 in his Tiburon, CA home....Read More
If you haven’t been following social media, parental discretion advised: Basketball star Lamar Odom remains in a coma at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada after being found unconscious at the Love Ranch “Cathouse”, a brothel about 70 miles outside Las Vegas. Lamar had reportedly...Read More
On October 5th, Governor Jerry Brown signed SB-128, the bill that legalized assisted suicide in California. Called The “End of Life Option Act,” Brown stated that he signed the bill because if he found himself dying “in prolonged and excruciating pain” he would find comfort...Read More
On September 23rd, Governor Brown signed AB 139, a bill introduced by assemblyman Mike Gatto. The bill will effectively transform the probate system in California by creating a “Revocable Transfer on Death Deed.” This deed allows Californians to sign a document that transfers real property...Read More
Alzheimer’s and Dementia is often diagnosed before it renders one unable to make legal decisions. This is the time in which creating a medical, legal, and financial plan for the future is critical. Without a plan in place, caregivers and family members often find themselves...Read More
When is it necessary to update your Estate Plan? So you’ve already done the responsible thing and put together your estate plan. But several years have passed and life circumstances may have changed. So when is it necessary to go back to your attorney to...Read More
Huguette Clark is a woman who definitely could have used a good Estate Planner. Heiress to Copper Magnate Senator William Clark of Montana, Huguette was heir to hundreds of millions of dollars, several sprawling homes, and numerous valuable artworks. After living the last two decades...Read More
Celebrity author Tom Clancy was widely known for his bestselling novels, which include popular titles such as “Patriot Games,” “The Hunt for Red October,” and “Clear and Present Danger.” Unfortunately, his skills in crafting and meticulously planning espionage tales did not transfer over when it came...Read More
Guide to Estate Planning in the SF East Bay: Trusts In the second part of my Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions, we’ll review some estate plan basics as well as go over what you’ll need to get started. So, first things first, if you have a...Read More
This week we’re looking at beneficiary designations – and what it’s critical to keep in mind when it comes to these guys. So, let’s define it first. Assets that are registered as “transfer on death” or “payable on death” will transfer to a specified beneficiary...Read More
