ESTATE PLANNING SERVICES
My estate planning practice includes the preparation of vital estate planning documentation that clearly expresses my clients’ most personal wishes regarding their medical and financial care, and disposition of their assets upon death. Such documentation includes, but is not limited to:
- Durable Powers of Attorney For Health Care
- Living Wills
- Durable Powers of Attorney For Assets And Finances
- Wills
- Revocable Living Trusts
- Probate Administration
- Trust Administration
Whether my clients are single, married or domestic partners, it is absolutely essential that they proactively establish the appropriate estate planning strategy and that they implement and prepare the appropriate estate planning documentation that will provide assurance that my clients’ decisions and future wishes are respected.
I encourage my clients and website visitors to visit the Legal Resources section of this website in order to review and complete the Estate Planning Questionnaire. I have developed this list of questions in an effort to prepare my clients for the initial estate planning consultation appointment.
In addition to these proactive legal services, I have represented many clients within the context of probate and trust administration.
Probate Process
The probate process may seem mysterious, difficult and prolonged. As an experienced probate attorney, I am dedicated to guiding my clients through the traditional probate process.
Trust Administration
More commonly now, a loved one has created a trust or complicated estate plan. It is absolutely essential that you retain a trust/probate attorney to assist with this process. I take great pride in providing valuable assistance to the designated trustee(s) with their statutory and fiduciary obligations owed to the estate, and in minimizing the trustee(s) potential risk for liability and beneficiary disputes. I assist my clients with all aspects of the estate and trust administration process including accounting, distribution, and dealing with heirs and beneficiaries.
Click Here To Begin The Process
DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP LAW
The domestic partnership aspect of my practice includes the formation and dissolution of registered domestic partnerships for the GLBT community. My services also include the preparation of, and consultation for, domestic partnership, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. It is absolutely essential that individuals consult with a qualified attorney who can clearly explain the rights and obligations that flow from domestic partnership and marital relationships.
Additionally, I represent individuals who are in unregistered domestic partnership relationships, whether in the formation or dissolution phase. I have gained extensive experience through my representation of individuals in “Marvin” (palimony) actions.
REAL PROPERTY LITIGATION AND TRANSACTIONAL MATTERS
My professional experience has encompassed the field of real estate/real property law since the inception of my legal career. I provide comprehensive legal representation with regard to residential, commercial and industrial properties, condominium developments, homeowners’ associations, licensed real estate professionals and lenders.
Representative real property litigation matters include:
- Breach of Contract/Specific Performance
- Real Property Defects/Nondisclosure Issues
- Title/Property Boundary Issues
- Construction/Contractor Disputes
- Real Property Development Matters
- Disputes Involving Real Estate Professionals
Representative real property transactional matters include:
- Preparation And Negotiation Of Purchase/Sale Agreements
- Preparation And Negotiation Of Leases
- Documentation Review
COMMERCIAL/BUSINESS REPRESENTATION
I also provide the following legal services for individuals and entrepreneurial concerns:
- Formation/Organization Of Business Entities
- Compliance With Filing/Record Keeping Requirements For Business Entities
- Contract Preparation, Negotiation And Review
- Enforcement Of Business Obligations (Litigation of Business Disputes)
- Resolution Of Business Disputes (Arbitration/Mediation)
DISCRIMINATION/CIVIL RIGHTS REPRESENTATION
I have greatly appreciated my ability to bring justice to individuals who have suffered the indignity of racial, gender, sexual orientation or HIV discrimination. Some of these experiences have garnered national and regional media attention, which has served to focus the public’s awareness upon, not only my clients’ plight, but upon the continuing existence of these societal issues. My representation of individuals has included discrimination/civil rights violations within the workplace, housing violations that have affected tenants’ rights and within public accommodations and business establishments including restaurants. I have found this area of my practice to prove most rewarding because of my ability to effect societal change.
WRONGFUL DEATH/SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY ACTIONS
Through my practice, I have represented individuals whose family members or loved ones died or sustained serious personal injuries due to the negligent or intentional acts of a third party. I can help surviving family members and loved ones bring a claim for damages against the party responsible for a loved one’s death. These circumstances prove most difficult to confront and resolve, and require that the surviving family members and loved ones retain an experienced attorney who will strenuously advocate for their benefit, while simultaneously providing a crucial source of comfort and support.
A wrongful death claim is brought by members of the decedent’s estate. California law provides for compensation due to a wrongful death claim that may include final medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, future earnings anticipated over the decedent’s lifetime, lost benefits of the victim, pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of companionship. I provide these legal services on a contingency fee basis. If I can not recover damages on your behalf, you will not owe any attorney’s fees to my law firm.
