Blog Posts in September, 2014

October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Do You Know How to Leave an Abusive Relationship?

Throughout the month of October, the National Network to End Domestic Violence and various community groups across the United States are working to educate the public about the dangers of abusive relationships. It is estimated that one in four women will be the victim of domestic violence within her lifetime. High profile cases such as the scandal surrounding NFL star Ray Rice’s abuse of his wife ...

Everyone Needs an Estate Plan

Pasadena estate planning attorneys say a number of people are misinformed as to the purpose of an estate plan. It’s a common misconception that only the very wealthy need to take the time to create a formal estate plan. According to the Rocket Lawyer, a legal services site, 64% of Americans don’t even have a basic will. However, anyone over the age of eighteen needs to create an estate plan. It’s ...

Protect Yourself Against a Cyberstalker

Cyberstalking is becoming a serious problem for people seeking a Pasadena divorce . Even if your spouse is not physically aggressive, technology makes it easy for him or her to threaten, harass, and intimidate you online. Cyberstalking can take many forms, ranging from spreading lies that damage your reputation to keeping tabs on your daily activities from afar or running up debt in your name. To ...

Learn from Celebrity Estate Planning Mistakes

Celebrities who are worth millions may seem to lead a charmed life, but your favorite celebs are still prone to making some serious estate planning mistakes . How can you avoid these pitfalls? Second marriages are becoming more and more common, but blended families can create estate planning conflicts. For example, radio DJ Casey Kasem's second wife and his adult children clashed over his medical ...

How Do California Divorce Laws Compare to Other States?

California recently made Forbes list of the “7 Worst States to Get a Divorce” due to its $395 filing fee and the fact that it is the only state in the U.S. requiring a six month cooling off period after filing. If you’re thinking about filing for a divorce in Pasadena , you may be wondering what this means for you. It is true that California’s filing fee is higher than most other states, but ...

Using Estate Planning to Support Your Favorite Charity

If there is a charity that is of great personal significance to you, such as an association helping abused animals or a group that provides college scholarships to low-income teens, estate planning can be used to ensure that your support remains part of your legacy . One popular way to leave money to charity is to create a bequest. This is an easy and flexible way to support a favorite cause, ...

Preventing Elder Abuse Through Careful Estate Planning

The financial abuse of seniors is seldom discussed, but can have devastating consequences. For example, actor Mickey Rooney was said to have been a victim of financial abuse at the hands of his stepson. After being given power of attorney, the stepson drained millions of dollars from Mr. Rooney’s accounts, leaving him virtually penniless when he died on April 6, 2014. The perpetrators of financial ...

How Can You Make Sure Your Prenup Will Hold Up in Court?

Pasadena family law attorneys agree that prenups are no longer exclusively the domain of the wealthy. Even couples of relatively modest means can benefit from a prenup, especially if one party owns a business or has children from a previous relationship. When you create a prenup, both sides need to have their own legal representation. You can’t have the same attorney represent the both of you ...