Getting to the Heart of What Really Matters

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Estate
Planning

There are a myriad of legal strategies you might consider implementing as you design your estate plan. Regardless, there are a handful of “must have” estate planning documents you must create before anything else.

A Loved One Has Passed Away

Trusts come in many “flavors,” they can be simple or complex, and serve a variety of legal, personal, investment or tax planning purposes. At the most basic level, a trust is a legal entity with at least three parties involved: the trust-maker, the trustee (trust manager), and the trust beneficiary.

Probate

There can be terrific grief and pain at the loss of a loved one. Beyond grief and pain, when you add external stresses to the equation you can have a disaster on your hands in very short order.

Welcome to the Law Office of Patricia Mayer, PC

California Law Firm — Serving Larkspur & the Surrounding Areas

At the Law Office of Patricia Mayer, PC, we maintain a client-centered law practice focused on your unique needs. By working closely together, using a structure that makes the process as efficient as possible, we help you get to the heart of what really matters, so you can create the planning strategy that best achieves your goals.

Our office is located in Larkspur, California, across from the Larkspur Ferry Terminal. We take pride in building trusting and meaningful long-term relationships with our clients that exceed their expectations and have a lasting positive impact on their lives.

Attorney at Law

Patricia Mayer

Attorney at Law

Life Stage Estate Planning

Slide 1

Planning for Singles

For the serious traveller, Traveller Magazine is a mine of information, keeping you up-to-date with the latest trends in travel and tourism.

If you are single, then you are in good company. According to the most recent U.S. Census, more than half of all adult Americans are single, too. Whether you just turned 18 or are 118 one thing you share with your married counterparts is the need for essential estate planning. Even if you do not have two dimes to rub together, you are your estate. Did you know the law requires every adult American to make his or her own personal, financial and health care decisions? Who would make your basic decisions if you are legally incapacitated due to a serious injury or illness?

Slide 2

Planning for Married Couples

For the serious traveller, Traveller Magazine is a mine of information, keeping you up-to-date with the latest trends in travel and tourism.

With each marriage come new rights and new responsibilities. If you already have an estate plan created when you were single, then you must bring your estate plan up-to-code to reflect your wedding vows. Unfortunately, many married couples mistakenly believe that they can make personal, health care and financial decisions for one another should either spouse become legally incapacitated due to a serious injury or illness. Nothing could be further from reality!

Slide 3

Planning for Minor Children

For the serious traveller, Traveller Magazine is a mine of information, keeping you up-to-date with the latest trends in travel and tourism.

Are you the parent of minor children? If yes, then they are your most valuable treasure. So, what arrangements have you made for their care should something happen to you and their other parent? As with your own personal, health care and financial decisions, would you rather select the guardians (i.e., back-up parents) yourself, or let a probate judge make the selection without your input? Only through proper legal planning can you select the guardians.

Slide 4

Planning for Blended Families

For the serious traveller, Traveller Magazine is a mine of information, keeping you up-to-date with the latest trends in travel and tourism.

Times have changed. In the new millennium, whether due to the death of a spouse or through divorce, blended families now outnumber traditional nuclear families. And the number is likely to grow, based on current statistics and trends. Many blended families face unique social, psychological and economic challenges. As a result, over 60% of second marriages end in divorce. Fortunately, there are numerous organizations and support groups dedicated to helping blended families with these challenges.

Slide 5

Planning During Peak Earning Years

For the serious traveller, Traveller Magazine is a mine of information, keeping you up-to-date with the latest trends in travel and tourism.

Are you between age 40 and 55? If yes, then congratulations. Research has shown that you are in your peak earning years. And that is a very good thing. Chances are good that you have some expensive life events going on right now, unlike when you were among the Married Couples without children.

Slide 6

Planning When Nearing Retirement

For the serious traveller, Traveller Magazine is a mine of information, keeping you up-to-date with the latest trends in travel and tourism.

Just a moment ago you were in the thick of your busy, busy Peak Earning Years. Now, you can see a new adventure is rapidly approaching your front windshield. What is it? Retirement. Are you getting ready? Chances are good that your children have left the nest. Perhaps you are assisting your aging parents with their personal, health care and financial responsibilities.

Slide 7

Planning When Single Again

For the serious traveller, Traveller Magazine is a mine of information, keeping you up-to-date with the latest trends in travel and tourism.

Whether due to divorce or death, you are now Single Again. You may have children and even grandchildren. In any event, you need to create (or revisit) your estate plan. Did you know the law requires every adult American to make his or her own personal, financial and health care decisions? Now that you are single again, who would make your basic decisions if you are legally incapacitated due to a serious injury or illness?

Slide 8

Planning for Retirement

For the serious traveller, Traveller Magazine is a mine of information, keeping you up-to-date with the latest trends in travel and tourism.

You have arrived. Just a moment ago you were Nearing Retirement. When did you get to this place in life so quickly? Yikes, what do you need to do right now in preparation for that day? Retirement. Congratulations! This is often an exciting, yet bittersweet time of life.