People in California may have seen a recent editorial about people who have had the good fortune to pass on their wealth to future generations, and the surprising backlash many people in the American public seem to have against their heirs. While many people are quick...
Focused And Personalized Attention Concerning Your Estate Planning Needs
Michael A. Sawamura, Attorney at Law
California workers’ pensions could be at risk
People in California may have seen a recent news story about the fight over public employee pensions. The article discussed a pension reform gathering that took place earlier this year in Sacramento, and the possible implications that bringing pension reform to...
Same-sex couples get much needed federal tax guidance
People in California may have heard about a recent tax policy change that could provide some peace of mind for same-sex couples across the state. Same-sex marriage has been a hot-button topic here in California and in many other states, and shifting laws and...
Handling family affairs properly may require power of attorney
Whether young or old, planning for the future or an untimely death is an important matter. Although it is often something one does not like to think about, it is something that should not be put off. Drafting documents for an estate plan can take place at any age or...
Heir to fortune found dead under railroad overpass
People in California may have seen a recent article about a 60-year-old man who was found dead in Wyoming under a railway overpass. His body was discovered by children who were sledding; coroners believe the man died of exposure to the elements. The man, who may have...
Yarnell crewmember’s family fights for benefits
People in California know what a menace wildfires can be on the west coast. Many people probably recall the tragedy that occurred in Yarnell, Arizona, when 19 firefighters on the Granite Mountain Hotshot crew perished while fighting a blazing wildfire earlier this...
Making the most of the estate tax exemption
Residents in California know that estate planning can be very complicated. This is especially true due to increasing taxes and a number of changes to state and federal law that make shielding your hard-earned money from unnecessary taxation extremely difficult. Estate...
Disinheriting a family member can be a delicate balancing act
Problems can arise when a child or other family member in California is excluded from the will of a deceased loved one. This situation is becoming more and more commonplace in recent years, as more and more people in the "baby boomer" generation inherit money from...
James Gandolfini’s will comes under the microscope
People in California probably know about James Gandolfini, the actor most-well-known for his turn as Tony Soprano on the hit television show. When he unexpectedly died at the relatively young age of 51, people mourned the loss of this talented man, but soon afterwards...
Don’t wait until it’s too late to set up a medical care directive
People in California may have seen a compelling news article about a recent survey of physicians and how they would choose to handle their end-of-life decisions. Perhaps surprisingly, many of those surveyed reported that they would not want medical caretakers to take...