All posts by Jim

Your family tree: its due process importance in estate administration, trust administration, and conservatorships

March 17, 2015Conservatorship, Elder Law, Family, Probate, Trust AdministrationJim

Due process and California law requires that your closest blood relatives* be notified by the person in charge of your estate if you died or became incompetent in each of these California contexts: 1. If probate is required because you died without a will, your administrator must notify your heirs*, as your heirs are those … Continue reading Your family tree: its due process importance in estate administration, trust administration, and conservatorships →

California Estate Plans and Property Tax Planning

February 9, 2015Estate PlanningJim

With the 2015, large estate tax exemption of $5,430,000, most California estate plans now have no federal estate tax risks. But of increasing concern is how to avoid an increase in real property tax when California real property passes by gift or inheritance. Under the general rule, the assessed value of California real property is … Continue reading California Estate Plans and Property Tax Planning →

Selecting Guardian for Your Minor Children

January 25, 2015FamilyJim

Every parent knows how important it is to select a guardian for minor children. Many parents find this decision to be terribly stressful. Here are some tips to help with deciding whom to nominate as the guardian of your child if neither parent is living (or if both parents became incompetent). In California, there are … Continue reading Selecting Guardian for Your Minor Children →

Why to Review Your Estate Plan in 2015

December 30, 2014Estate PlanningJim

TOP 10 suggestions for reviewing and possibly updating your estate plan in 2015: #10. Under your existing estate planning documents, who will be charge of your financial affairs if you become ill? Who did you name as your successor trustee and as your attorneys-in-fact under your durable general power of attorney? Has your opinion changed since … Continue reading Why to Review Your Estate Plan in 2015 →

Music can bring life to the elderly who appear lifeless: award winning movie, Alive Inside.

November 22, 2014Elder Law, Health CareJim

At the CANHR Elder Law Conference that I’m attending today, the award winning film, Alive Inside, was featured. It’s powerful proof of how music can bring life to people who appear lifeless. iPods loaded with a person’s life music does what drugs can’t. A wonderful, helpful tool to help our elderly. Here’s a link to … Continue reading Music can bring life to the elderly who appear lifeless: award winning movie, Alive Inside. →

Phillips Law Offices

A Professional Corporation. Probate, Estate Planning, and Trust Law: