Areas of Practice
Family law
Our family law practice covers all aspects of family relationships, marital and parenting issues including:
- Divorce
- Pre & Post nuptial agreements
- Domestic partner Relations
- Parentage Actions
- Guardianship
- Modification
- Enforcement
Fundamental and traumatic changes often create confusion and emotional upheaval for families. To find resolution and help with this unrest, we listen to our clients to discover what is important to them and their family. Then, we educate them about the law and what options are available in their unique circumstances. We work diligently with our clients to find balance and resolution and to assist them in making well-informed decisions.
We firmly believe that the least adversarial approach should be employed in coming to a resolution, especially when children are involved. Clients can choose from one of the following dispute resolution methods: Mediation, Collaborative or Traditional Representation.
Our firm, located in Santa Rosa, California represents clients in and around Sonoma County. We are always focused on our clients. We take a very personal approach to listening to their needs and only then can we apply our skills, focus and reputation to reach a resolution which meets their goals.
Please contact us by telephone at (707)523-0480. We will schedule a consultation with you so we can learn more about your goals, concerns and interests and discuss how we can help.
Estate Planning
Estate Planning should not be a near-death experience!
Estate Planning is the final gift you can leave to your families, friends, loved ones, and the world. It's not just about dying. It's about efficiently managing your affairs while you are hale and hearty, and setting up your affairs so that they are competently managed if you become totally disabled. Finally, it's about the legacy you will leave the world after you die.
At Conner, Lawrence and Rodney, estate planning always starts with you, not with the tax laws, probate rules, or something we want to sell you. First you teach us about your life, your family, your assets and your values. It's important that we understand what's most important to you in order to advise you on your estate plan. Once we hammer out what you want for yourself and your family, we advise you about the various legal options and tools available to make sure your wishes are carried out.
One of the things we emphasize is charitable giving for ordinary people. Most people have one or more organizations or causes that they strongly believe in. While we're alive, we can only do so much for those causes, because we have other responsibilities. Once we die, however, we no longer need a roof over our heads; no longer need to save for retirement; no longer need to buy gas! In some ways, we're RICH when we're dead. If you have a modest $300,000 estate (just a house takes you that far), and two kids, they stand to inherit $150,000 each. If there's a charity you like to give $20 whenever you can, why not think about giving them $2,000 when you die? Will your kids really notice that they get $149,000 instead of $150,000? Once all these pesky living expenses are gone, you can be a philanthropist! We'll tell you how.
Like other lawyers, we use wills, revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, durable powers of attorney, and more complex instruments, such as charitable remainder trusts and irrevocable insurance trusts, to carry out your wishes. Our goal is to accomplish your goals in an economical and tax-efficient way. Unlike other lawyers, our focus is on you and your family and your goals and interests. We'll make sure your estate plan is right for you and your family.
Once we set up your estate plan, we don't leave you in the lurch. Our office follows up to make sure your living trust is funded and that assets are properly titled. After the initial set-up, we'll contact you at least once a year to let you know of changes in the law that might affect your estate plan, and to ask you about changes in your life that might require revisiting your estate plan. (An example of such changes might be a divorce, remarriage, birth of a child, death of an heir, etc.)
POST-DEATH MATTERS
When a loved one dies, we are faced not only with our grief and loss, but with a bewildering array of duties and responsibilities. For most of us, the first time we are asked to handle the estate of a loved one is a great honor and a tremendous chore. There are so many rules! There are taxes, bills, relatives asking for things... It can be very stressful.
We can make you comfortable from the beginning as we explain your duties and all the ways there are to fulfill them. We'll make certain that everything is taken care of, as quickly and efficiently as possible.
If family members are starting to squabble, we have innovative and effective ways to deal with conflict, including mediation and the Collaborative Process.
For further information, please see the following documents:
ABCs of Estate Planning
ABCs of Living Trusts
Your Will, Courtesy of the State of California
Estate Planning Questionnaire, Singles
Estate Planning Questionnaire, Couples
Estate Planning Questionnaire, Singles
Estate Planning Questionnaire, Couples
MEDICAL POWER OF ATTORNEY / HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE
There may come a time in anyone's life when you are no longer capable of making your own health care decisions. This could be because of dementia. It could be because you've been hit by a bus and are in a coma. Whatever the reason, if you can't make your own decisions, it's important to name the person who will make them for you.
At Conner, Lawrence & Rodney, we recommend that your Medical Power of Attorney or Health Care Directive (they are the same thing!) be specifically drafted for you with YOUR wishes in mind. Usually, this is done in conjunction with a complete estate plan, although we will also prepare them for you without an estate plan. Our Powers of Attorney are carefully based on what YOU tell us about your wishes, especially concerning end of life issues.
We understand that everyone can't afford an individually-tailored document. For that reason, we are happy to offer a link to the State of California Health Care Directive form. We modestly state that it's not as good as ours, but it will probably do the trick. And it is SO much better than nothing! Please take a couple of minutes to download the form and FILL IT OUT! Give the person you are asking to make decisions for you a copy.
We hope you never need this, but if you do, your family will be grateful that it's there.