by Justin M. KennedyLitherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at LawOn June 26, 2019, the Governor signed into law AB 328 - this law is meant to protect dependent adults from being taken advantage of by their caregivers.A dependent adult is defined as a person who is 65 or older and either (1) is unable to provide properly for his or her personal needs for physical health, food, clothing, or shelter, or (2) due to one or more deficits in the mental functions the person had … [Read more...]
Litherland, Kennedy & Associates – Why We Walk to Help End Alzheimer’s
On Saturday, October 12th, our law firm team will be walking in the 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer's. Following is the story of why our geriatric care manager, Dedra Jize, is walking.I have been working with families who have been afflicted with Alzheimer’s for almost 10 years. I have seen the emotional stress and the financial strain it puts on families, especially for spouses. When families get the support they need, the journey becomes more reasonable, especially for those who desire … [Read more...]
Planning for Special Needs Children
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education,American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.This is the second in a series focusing on planning for children. The first article was focused on the importance of planning if you have step-children. This article focuses on the importance of planning if you have “special needs” children. The next article in the series will focus on planning for education expenses.A “special needs” child is a child who faces a … [Read more...]
Planning for Step-Children
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education,American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.This is the first in a series focusing on planning for children. This first article will focus on the importance of planning if you have step-children. The next article in the series will focus on the importance of planning if you have special needs children.If you have married someone and your spouse has children from a different relationship, those are your … [Read more...]
Disinheritance
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education,American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.Whether or not we plan to do so, each of us will face death eventually. However, by planning we can make our passing easier and better in many ways for those we leave behind. The first article in the series demonstrated how you could gain privacy from the public by planning and using a trust rather than going through the public probate process. The second article in … [Read more...]
Your Planning Can Help Your Loved Ones
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education,American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.Whether or not we plan to do so, each of us will face death eventually. However, by planning, we can make our passing easier and better in many ways for those we leave behind. This is the third of a series on the ways we can ease the transition through planning. This article focuses on the importance of the way in which you leave assets to your loved ones.When we … [Read more...]
The Importance of Communicating Your Plans
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education,American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, IncWhether or not we plan to do so, each of us will face death eventually. However, by planning we can make our passing easier and better in many ways for those we leave behind. The first article in the series demonstrated how you could gain privacy from the public by planning and using a trust rather than going through the public probate process. The next article in the … [Read more...]
Litherland, Kennedy & Associates Law Firm Team Joins 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s
2019 Walk to End Alzheimer's - Silicon Valley, CASaturday, October 12, 2019Alzheimer’s disease is relentless. So are we.Alzheimer's disease touches so many people; It affects our clients, our family members and our friends. It can feel lonely and isolating to be facing it, or to be supporting someone who has been diagnosed with it. But we're not alone.Our office is walking for all of our clients, our family members, and our friends who have been affected by this unforgiving … [Read more...]
American Academy Awards Fellow Designation to Justin M. Kennedy – Kennedy Recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Experience and Service
SAN DIEGO, CA – [August 16, 2019] – The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys [AAEPA] announced that Estate Planning Attorney Justin M. Kennedy of Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law, has been awarded the Academy Fellow designation. The Fellow program recognizes Academy Members who demonstrate advanced expertise and significant practical experience in the total estate planning, trust, tax planning, probate and estate administration fields.“Our Members already … [Read more...]
Clarity is Key to Planning
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education,American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, IncWhen problems arise in an estate plan, often the source is a lack of clarity.Tom Petty died in 2017 and left a fortune estimated by Newsweek to be around $38 million. Petty did some things right, but he could have done better.What did Tom Petty do right? First, he planned. Most people just let nature take its course and fail to plan. There’s an old adage: when … [Read more...]
