858.792.5988

Serving San Diego for over 35 Years

Clients, Colleagues, and Friends,

I retired on Dec. 31, 2019, and officially closed my office, after 42 years of practicing law. I thank you all for your confidence in me and your friendship over the years. My colleague David Dufek who has shared the suite with me for the past two years is taking over my practice and will have all client files. Not only will David be taking over the practice, he remains in the suite and is taking over my fax and phone lines. You are free to leave your files with David or pick them up. David's practice like mine includes will, trusts, and probate, as well as personal injury work. He also does landlord - tenant work and debtor - creditor matters including bankruptcy.

I wish you all the best.

Alex

4 Things Commonly Forgotten During Estate Planning

Life is full; lots to remember.  If you forget something in the estate planning world, your estate plan may not work, meaning the documents may not be honored or they may not do what you want them to do.  To help your plan  work, we’ve created this list to help you to remember 4 things commonly forgotten when going through the estate planning process.  If you have any questions or concerns, call our estate planning office for a consultation.

  • Let your loved ones know that you’ve done estate planning and where you keep your estate planning documents, certificates, and other important papers.  Include a list of your online accounts, passwords, usernames, and PINs.  In addition, make sure your estate planning attorney’s contact information is readily available.  If your loved ones don’t know your plan exists, it won’t work.
  • Trusted helpers are your executor, guardians for minor children, trustees, and power of attorney agents.  Be sure to ask trusted helpers if they are willing to serve before naming them; they may not feel up to the task.  In addition, be sure to name contingent trusted helpers as well, in case your primary helpers are unable or unwilling to serve at the time.  If you don’t, the court will take over and determine who handles what, including your medical decisions, financial matters, and raising your children.
  • Make sure your assets are titled properly so that your estate plan works.  If you have a revocable living trust, it must be fully funded for your trustee to have authority over assets and to avoid probate.  Jointly owned property is likely to disinherit your children.  We can show you the way to title assets to meet your desires.
  • Update your estate plan from time to time.  If you have a significant life change, update sooner.  These changes would include divorce, marriage, new partner, partnership dissolution, a move to a new state, a new child (born, adopted, step, or grand), major change in assets, change in health, and the like.

If you’ve forgotten any of these 4 things, call our office at (858) 792-5988 for a consultation; we’ll get your estate plan back on track.