Dear Sidney, I am a single mother of a young lady that I’m so proud of and love so very much. She’s 25 now and has been on her own since she was 18. I’ve never been wealthy and there’s been no father around to fill in the gaps along the way. Very little money has been...
Features
Features
Estate Planning – Understanding capacity and communication in will making
In California, creating a valid will requires that the person making the will (the testator) meets specific legal standards. One of the most fundamental requirements is that the testator has the mental capacity to understand what they are doing. This can become...
Ash the Realtor – Suburban boom or mountain bust? Why our real estate market is lagging
As remote work and lifestyle shifts continue, 2024 is seeing a noticeable trend: Americans are moving from cities to the suburbs or secondary markets. Factors driving this migration include more flexible work-from-home options, lower taxes and affordable housing...
Mountain Musings with Uncle Mott – Across the Universe
The past two weeks have been rather cosmic, what with the comet, followed by the so-called “Hunter’s Moon,” which was very large and bright in the night sky (like some people I know) and, finally, the so-called “Super Moon,” that was supposed to be very large (like...
Dear Sidney
Dear Sidney, I am a single gay man living in a whimsical cabin in the woods. I love my life! However, I find myself hurt by the inactions of my relatives. For every occasion, I find great delight in sending special cards to nieces and nephews who are still young...
Estate Planning – The importance of formality in family loans: A cautionary tale
In the world of estate planning, intrafamily loans can be powerful tools for transferring wealth to the next generation. However, a recent case highlights the importance of treating these loans with the same formality as third-party transactions to avoid unintended...







