This is the season to celebrate Back to School. In anticipation of Back to School I would like to provide some legal guidance for Students aged 18 years and older who are heading Back to School. Aged 18 years and older means that they are now adults which also means that their parents no longer have legal authority to assist with financial and health decisions without legal documents in place.

As 2022 commences you may be searching for healthy habits that you can adopt to achieve a healthier and happier you. Don’t forget to consider that the best thing you can do to take care of yourself and put your house in order is to establish a healthy habit of reviewing and updating your estate plan.

This article answers the question, “How does your marital status impact your wills and trusts?” Are you getting married? Or are you newly married? Are you getting a divorce? Or are you newly divorced? Has your spouse predeceased you? These are questions that I ask as a legal specialist in estate planning trust and probate law. This year marks my 19 th year as a zealous advocate providing legal services for clients who find themselves in need of legal guidance. My advice to you can be ignored but then your estate planning may fail to achieve one of its primary objectives which is to avoid the cost and delays of both the conservatorship court process following your incapacity and the probate court process following your untimely death.

In honor of Mother’s Day this month I would like to provide some legal guidance for Mothers. Mothers are always busy doing several different things for her family whether its laundry and housekeeping or grocery shopping or driving children to and from school and/or activities. No matter how busy Mothers are with their daily tasks, they are dedicated to the needs of their children. Mothers also want their children to remember to look after each other and to live in peace with each other even after their death.

Is April 2021 any different than before? Do you still ask, “What Is The Truth About Death And Taxes?” My oldest son who was born on April 15 th discovered as a small child what people thought about “Tax Day.” If you spend any time with small children, you know already that their date of birth is always a popular topic. By the time, my son was age 3 or 4 he was well aware about “Tax Day.” Every time he told someone that his Birthday was April 15th they always responded with “Oh, Tax Day!” Fortunately for my son, he does not have to share his birthday with “Tax Day” this year since the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021. “Happy 18th Birthday Connor!”

I write this article as an expert in my field, I am a certified specialist with 18 years of legal experience. I write also as an experienced coach; I have just completed my 3rd year as a volunteer assistant ski coach for Amador High School. What could administering a Decedent’s Estate or Trust have to do with Alpine ski racing? I have learned that my student athlete, as well as my client who is currently serving in the role as an Executor and/or Trustee, must focus on the finish line.

Don’t forget to review your estate plan. This article specifically addresses the reason why you want to sign legal documents pertaining to your Healthcare. Options are as follows: Power of Attorney for Healthcare; Personal Health Instructions, and Advance Healthcare Directive. Please consider these options so that you can memorialize your wishes and desires. These are separate documents from your Last Will and Testament and/or your Trust. A Power of Attorney for health care (PAHC) is a written document designating an agent for health care decision-making. Probate Code §4605.