Hope, Science, and Leadership: Dr. Charles Windon and Attorney Caprice Collins Unite at Alzheimer’s Los Angeles Estimated reading time: 5 minutes On an October evening in Los Angeles, the Alzheimer’s Los Angeles @alzheimersla “Advances in Alzheimer’s Research” forum unfolded with a powerful blend of scientific insight and community leadership. At the center stood Dr. Charles C. Windon, MD, a rising figure in neurology at UCSF’s Memory and Aging Center, and Attorney Collins, a long-time … [Read more...] about Hope, Science, and Leadership: Dr. Charles Windon and Attorney Caprice Collins Unite at Alzheimer’s Los Angeles
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A Tote, a Festival, and a Legacy
When Eric and Veronica Amis walked through the gates of the Monterey Jazz Festival this year, they carried with them a clear tote bag. In their own words: “Greetings! Thank you so very much for the clear bag. It was perfect for the Monterey Jazz Festival that we attended. Also, thank you for thinking of me in a very special way as I journey through my untimely diagnosis. God is merciful and grateful!”— Eric & Veronica Amis, October 2025 On the surface, it’s a simple thank you for a … [Read more...] about A Tote, a Festival, and a Legacy
Should You Contest Your Parent’s Will? Read This Before You Decide
Grief and litigation are a brutal mix. If you’ve just lost a parent and something about their Will doesn’t feel right, slow down. A Will contest is one of the most consequential legal decisions a family can make—emotionally, financially, and relationally. Here’s a clear, California-focused guide to what a contest involves, when it’s warranted, and how to protect yourself before you take the first step. What a Will Contest Actually Is (and Isn’t) A Will contest asks the probate court to … [Read more...] about Should You Contest Your Parent’s Will? Read This Before You Decide
Your Fall Estate Plan Tune-Up: What to Check, What to Fix, and What to Do Next
⏱️ Estimated read time: 5 minutes. Fall has a way of nudging us from “I’ll get to it” to “let’s get it done.” We audit our budgets, check insurance renewals, and set goals for the new year. Your estate plan deserves the same seasonal reset. A focused, once-a-year review can catch small cracks before they become courtroom problems, and it can make sure the people you trust have the authority—and the instructions—to act when it matters. Estate Plans Are Living Documents Life … [Read more...] about Your Fall Estate Plan Tune-Up: What to Check, What to Fix, and What to Do Next
The Letter Came on a Tuesday: What Heirs in Los Angeles Really Face After a Reverse Mortgage
The letter came on a Tuesday. I was standing in my mother’s kitchen in Inglewood, sorting mail that kept arriving even though she’d been gone for three weeks. Mixed in with condolence cards was an official-looking envelope with Reverse Mortgage Servicing Department stamped in block letters across the top. I opened it with the same numbness I’d used to get through the funeral. Inside: a deadline. Notify us within 30 days of the borrower’s death. The loan, what Mom always called her “extra … [Read more...] about The Letter Came on a Tuesday: What Heirs in Los Angeles Really Face After a Reverse Mortgage
Reverse Mortgages, Death, and California’s Tax Trap: What LA Families Need to Know Now
(⏱️ A 7 minute read) A reverse mortgage can feel like found money—until the borrower dies and the family discovers there’s no plan for what happens next. Across Los Angeles, heirs are opening mail that starts a countdown: notify the lender, decide whether to keep or sell the home, and move fast before fees mount. Layer on California’s Prop 19 property-tax rules and many families are blindsided twice—by the loan and by a reassessment that can spike annual taxes by … [Read more...] about Reverse Mortgages, Death, and California’s Tax Trap: What LA Families Need to Know Now
Young Parents, Big Decisions: Why Your Will (and Trust) Can’t Wait
Estimated read time: 6 minutes When you’re raising kids, estate planning feels like something for “later.” Between daycare pickups, pediatric appointments, and trying to get everyone to sleep on time, it’s easy to push a will to the bottom of the list. Yet for young parents, a will is not optional—it’s how you decide who would raise your children if something happened to you. Without it, a judge decides. Full stop. The latest Caring.com survey found that only 24% of Americans have a will, and … [Read more...] about Young Parents, Big Decisions: Why Your Will (and Trust) Can’t Wait
The Real Cost of Probate in California (and How to Bypass It)
Estimated read time: 5 minutes Probate is the court process used to validate a will, pay debts, and distribute property after death. While it provides oversight, it often creates avoidable headwinds for the people you love—delays, fees, and a loss of privacy—right when they’re least able to shoulder them. If you live in California, understanding how probate really works (and how to plan around it) can save your family months of stress and tens of thousands of dollars. 1) The Time Commitment: … [Read more...] about The Real Cost of Probate in California (and How to Bypass It)
“Let’s Go Crazy” … Over Prince’s Estate
When Prince died over nine (9) years ago, he shocked his fans one last time. Turns out, his unexpected death wasn’t the last surprise. Prince died without an Estate Plan causing his siblings to spend the next six years fighting over his Estate. 6-minute read ⏱️ Nearly a decade after his passing, the headlines keep coming—this time, a suit by Apollonia over her name. Strip away the celebrity, and you’re left with a painfully ordinary truth: a brilliant, … [Read more...] about “Let’s Go Crazy” … Over Prince’s Estate
Divorce + Your Estate Plan in California: Close the Gaps, Protect Your Future, and Redirect Your Legacy (Including Smart Charitable Moves)
Estimated time to read ⏱️ A finalized divorce does not finish your planning. California law revokes some—but not all—references to an ex. Federal rules can override state protections. Old beneficiary forms can send six figures to the wrong person. And unless you update your decision-makers, a medical crisis can leave the wrong person—or no one—legally in charge. If you want full control over who inherits, who decides, and what impact your wealth makes, you have to refresh your … [Read more...] about Divorce + Your Estate Plan in California: Close the Gaps, Protect Your Future, and Redirect Your Legacy (Including Smart Charitable Moves)
