Saturday evening’s television line-up included a story about former NFL tackle Michael Oher. His story was a 2009 feature film called The Blind Side that earned more than $300 million. The sum of the story is that Oher was...more
In each instance where we write about the domestic problems of the rich and famous we try to note that their resources make their lives and their choices inherently different. Last year we covered the Costner divorce and the...more
Planning ahead for the unknown can be frightening and intimidating. However, our team is here to expel the spine-chilling misconceptions of advance directives, estate planning, and estate administration. Sally Brewer,...more
The Blind Side is an Oscar award-winning movie based on the life of a young man in Tennessee, Michael Oher, and the unrelated Touhy family he lived with while in high school. A new lawsuit raises several interesting issues....more
Michael Oher, retired NFL star, filed a petition in probate court on Monday asserting that he was tricked into consenting to a conservatorship (in Florida we refer to this as guardianship) which he believed was an adoption by...more
There have been a few notable instances recently in pop culture that have shined a spotlight on conservatorships. As one might expect, the laws regarding conservatorships vary from state to state. Another type of individual...more
If you are asked to serve as guardian for either an incapacitated adult or a minor, there are several questions you should ask before accepting this fiduciary role. It is critical to understand what you are signing up for...more
We wrote last July about a draft California ethics opinion regarding clients who may have diminished mental capacity. After receiving public comment, the State Bar’s Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility and...more
Last Thursday, Britney Spears’ dad Jamie agreed to step down from his role in her conservatorship “when the time is right” after the Los Angeles judge hearing the case denied a request by Britney’s lawyers to remove him from...more
Britney Spears’s legal fight to wrest back control over her personal and financial affairs has flooded the issue of guardianship in Klieg lights. While a full guardianship may be necessary for many individuals who are...more
What are the ethical obligations of a California lawyer for a client with diminished mental capacity? The ethics committee of the State Bar of California answers this key question in draft Formal Opinion No. 13-0002, with...more
The new Netflix movie, “I Care a Lot,” is truly terrifying. Like many thrillers this movie begins with a relatable premise and a relatable fear, in this case, it is the fear of dependance and exploitation. The film...more
Britney Spears has been making headlines lately, unfortunately not for her music but for her conservatorship. In 2008 Ms. Spears’ father was appointed conservator for her personal and financial decisions. In 2019 a...more
Many people think they don’t need “estate planning” because they don’t have enough assets to generate an estate tax; however, there are four basic estate planning documents everyone should have regardless of net worth. 1....more