Estate Planning Practice Blog

When You Become 18

A few things, well, make that a lot of things, happen once someone turns age 18.

The State Bar of California has a publication free for downloading called: "When You Become 18: A Survival Guide For Teenagers."

Click here for more information directly from the State Bar and to download your own copy.

As an estate planning attorney, a few things immediately come to mind when someone turns age 18. Mom and Dad cannot make decisions for you anymore. This may be good or bad, but depending on how you feel -- it is a wise idea to have a Durable Power of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directive put in place to nominate who should make financial and medical decisions on your behalf in the event you are not able to do so.  It may also be a good idea to draft a Will to name who should be in charge of your estate and get your stuff if you pass away.  Also, if you own significant assets, it may also be wise to have a Trust set up as well.

Having these kinds of documents in place may be especially important if you come from a blended family, have estranged parents or some other situation where these kinds of documents would be useful to avoid a sticky situation or conflict later.

Lots to think about when you are an adult!
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Estate Planning, Probate and Trusts involve complex areas of law. Individual circumstances must be considered before any advice can be given.  The general information above is not to be construed as legal advice, which can only be given after consideration of the unique facts of each matter. Please seek the advice or counsel of your attorney, financial advisor or CPA as it may be appropriate.

CA Nursing Home Ratings.

An FYI for Californians -- here is a very informative website from the California HealthCare Foundation, which rates all nursing homes in many views including an overall summary or by your own break down based on your particular need whether it be nursing homes, adult day care facilities or hospice services.

You can view patient to nurse ratios, pay levels and complaints among tons of other variables.  It's a great resource to keep handy. This blog is always about you never know when you will need it preparedness and information. [Estate planning is a good example of this philosophy.]

What is also extra nice is that this website has no affiliations with any facility or agency. It is a non-profit website run by University of California, San Francisco.

Types of Cases Heard in Probate Court.

In California, the probate court is a court of general jurisdiction. What is confusing to many people is that the probate court hears more than just traditional legal matters where someone has died with or without a Will.

Thus, California's probate courts handle proceedings involving:

   

• Decedents estates (the traditional role it is most known for)    
• Trust proceedings    
• Guardianship proceedings    
• Conservatorship proceedings    
• Minors compromises

If you are served with a summons or legal papers involving California's probate court, please do not assume that the papers involve someone's estate and nothing further is required from you. If a summons is attached to the papers, it means you have been sued in some capacity.

You should seek the advice of legal counsel to review the papers (sometimes called a Petition) and determine if you need to file a response (which would be Objections) to protect your rights in the lawsuit.

Local Long Beach Telephone Numbers.

For those of you in the Long Beach area, you may find these numbers useful:

• Non-emergency Police: (562) 435-6711
  
• Non-emergency Fire: (562) 570-2500
  
• Gas Emergency: (562) 570-2140
  
• Long Beach Water Dept.: (562) 570-2390
  
• Graffiti Hotline: (562) 570-2773
  
• Trash Collection: (562) 570-2876

Note about the Non-Emergency Police number: consider programming this into your cell phone as 911 calls from a mobile phone are routed to CHP. The emergency response may be delayed. In the alternative, after calling 911, you can also call the Non-Emergency Police number as a back-up and find yourself getting a quicker response in the event of an emergency. However, always call 911 first.

Excellent Caregiver Websites.

If you are caregiver for a loved one or have issues involving elder law, check out these excellent resources available on the web:

American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging

National Family Caregivers Association

Family Caregiver Alliance

National Alliance for Caregiving

Domestic Violence Hotlines and Walk-In Centers near Long Beach.

If domestic violence is an issue in your family life, please seek help. There are many resources available to you.

You can also consult with an attorney who handles family law matters for advice too. Please note that if you retain an attorney to handle your domestic violence situation, you will have to pay attorney fees as well.

Domestic Violence Hotlines:
National Hotline 800-978-3600
Human Options 949-854-3554
Interval House 714-891-8121
Laura's House 949-498-1511
WTLC 714-992-1931

Domestic Violence Walk-In Centers:
Human Options 714-435-9992
Laura's House 949-240-0363
WTLC 714-992-1939 x105
Interval House 562-594-9492

You can also call the Legal Aid Society at 800-834-5200 or the Women's Law Center at 714-667-1038 for assistance.

Supreme Court Blog

Ever wish you could follow what is going on with the United States Supreme Court? Check out the scotusblog. 

[SCOTUS means the Supreme Court Of The United States. Don't you wish we had nifty acronyms for ourselves as well? I used to be called JSaw after the JLo fame.  Thank god that's so over with now.]

Unclaimed Property?

If you or a loved one has unclaimed property that is now in possession of a state, check online at National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA). You can type in names and see if there is money or other assets waiting for you. Instructions are on the site for locating and claiming such property. Good luck!

California State Bar Pamphlets on Estate Planning, Wills and Living Trusts

The State Bar of California has informative pamphlets in very easy to understand question and answer format on Estate Planning , Wills  and Living Trusts available on its website.

The State Bar of California's general website  is also very informative on many aspects involving legal matters.