On May 25, 2001, both the House and the Senate passed the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (“Act”) which President Bush quickly signed into law. A significant part of the Act is the gradual phase-out of estate taxes with full repeal coming after 2009. Currently, an individual can make tax-free transfers, during life or at death, of assets totaling $675,000. This sum is known as the “unified credit” and can beRead More…

Wills A will is a written instrument by which a person disposes of property at death. A will is always subject to change during the person’s lifetime. It conveys no present interest in property until the person’s death. In California there are three types of wills: (a) a “holographic” or handwritten will; (b) a statutory will; and (c) a formal will, prepared by an attorney.

The issue of estate planning, preparing or updating a will and, perhaps, supporting trusts, is awkward for many people. It means thinking about what happens when one is no longer here. All too often, people avoid addressing the issue until the last minute. We would like to remind you of some of the major reasons for doing something now about your personal estate plan.

There are numerous federal and California laws restricting an employer’s right to terminate an employee. This newsletter shall discuss the restrictions on an employer’s right to terminate an employee, the methods by which an employer can protect itself from potential liability for wrongful termination, and the rights of the employee who has been wrongfully terminated.