Not all durable power of attorney forms are created equal. First, let’s clarify what a durable power of attorney form (DPOA) is, and what it does for you. A DPOA form allows you to designate a trusted person, often your spouse or adult child, to... Continue
Sonoma Sun
The Sonoma County Department of Health Services recently released a report that examines data from each of Sonoma County’s 99 census tracks to determine how residents are faring in three fundamental areas of life: health, access to knowledge, and living standards. Called “A Portrait of Sonoma County,” the report was prepared by... Continue
When a client comes into my office, one of the first things we discuss is whether or not they have a trusted friend or family member to act as their successor. This may be a successor trustee in the case of a living trust, or... Continue
[caption id="attachment_41520" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Photo: Cristin Lawrence and Marguerite LaDue of Sonoma Valley Teen Services[/caption] “Employing teens, encouraging dreams” is the slogan of Sonoma Valley Teen Services. While the sign outside the building at 17440 Sonoma Highway in Boyes Hot Springs still has the old... Continue
First let me say that I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. This article is meant to discuss what I refer to as sudden incapacity, in a legal context and not a medical one. The concept of legal incapacity is... Continue
Springs resident Alejandra Cervantes is an inspiring individual with a personal mission – to encourage and help her Latino neighbors get involved in the community. Cervantes is the full-time, unpaid executive director of Nuestra Voz, a nonprofit whose mission is to develop leadership among the Latino community in Sonoma Valley. Thanks... Continue
I am often asked “What do I need to bring to my first estate planning meeting?” Although clients don’t “need” anything, I often explain that certain decisions need to be made --decisions that I can’t help them make before the first meeting. I can help them... Continue
The man in charge of getting our Highway 12 sidewalk project constructed —Sonoma County Deputy Public Works Director Tom O’Kane — told me the county is “still working its way through the Caltrans process,” but he plans to advertise the project for construction bids before... Continue
I have two matters in my office right now that are headed to court. What’s worse, both of these cases originate from the same trust. Not because someone is suing the estate, not because they failed to do estate planning, but because the estate planning... Continue
First, an update of last month’s column about the candidates running in the June election to represent the Springs in the State Assembly: Napa County Planning Commissioner Matt Pope dropped out of the race last week. No surprise, as his fundraising was poor. That leaves three candidates: Napa County Supervisor Bill... Continue