Liu Shair Law

Happy new year! We have already started work for 2022 and thought we'd share a blog post about Estate Planning in the new year because this is a common goal or resolution for many. https://www.liushairlaw.com//thinking-about-estate-plannin

It's hard to believe that another year has come and (almost) gone. Here is the link to our annual year end newsletter, which details what's going on with the firm, our attorney, and relevant laws. We also include a reminder about keeping your trust funded! The office is now closed for the winter holidays and will reopen on Tuesday, January 4, 2022. Happy holidays to those who celebrate and stay safe.... https://mailchi.mp/b3f123a78238/2021-year-end-newsletter

As part of the Estate Planning process, we like to inform clients about Digital Assets and provide a template for them to keep updated for their trustee's future reference. There are some companies that implemented policies previously, but Apple had not...until now. Apple now allows for iPhone users to assign a Legacy contact, much like Facebook and Google had allowed for before. This article details the steps to do so. https://www.wsj.com//ios-15-digital-legacy-iphone-11639488? Here is an article about the importance of covering your assets: https://www.liushairlaw.com//cover-your-assets-securing-yo

Ten years ago, I officially became a California licensed attorney. I graduated from law school in May 2011, studied for the bar exam that summer, took the bar exam in July, found out that I passed the exam in November, and then was sworn in the next month. A lot of things have changed in my life since then, both personally and professionally. Here is a post written by our summer intern Ria about a reflection on the last ten years as an attorney. Here's to continuing to learn, grow, and serve clients with customized, comprehensive, and compassionate Estate Planning.

Taking a little walk at the office building’s outdoor area between meetings. I’m so thankful for great weather. What are you thankful for this season?

Happy Halloween from Dorothy, Scarecrow, Lion, Glinda, and Toto! There’s no place like home!

This week is National Estate Planning Awareness Week. This topic is one that many may have superstitions, misconceptions, or discomforts about discussing. It is important to take steps to learn about how to keep your loved ones from going through the probate process. Furthermore, a comprehensive Estate Planning process is a very meaningful way to determine how you want to leave your legacy.

"The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the world to adapt in ways never seen before. While the situation has made manyif not allfeel weak in some way, we have been able to channel our strength to evolve as a society. A sizable part of the change has involved the modernization of the workplace, utilizing different technologies such as Zoom to communicate and coordinate." Here is a post from Raisah about how we transitioned our Estate Planning process to be more remote and more accessible over the past year and a half.

A main concern for parents working on their estate plan is determining how their children will be cared for if both parents are to pass away. This consists of both a preference over who takes care of children as well as who manages the funds for the children. Here is a post by Ria on this topic that drives many parents of minor children to create their customized and comprehensive Estate Plans: https://www.liushairlaw.com//estate-planning-for-parents-w

In the estate planning field, the term probate is often spoken with dread. We think of it as something we want to avoid at all costs, but what exactly is probate? And why do we try to avoid it? Here is a blog post by one of our summer interns Ria Nambiar on this important topic. https://www.liushairlaw.com/blog/2021/9/7/what-is-probate

Making sure that your Estate Plan is customized and comprehensive is crucial. Sometimes, clients will ask how frequently they should revisit their Estate Plan. Here is a blog post by one of our summer interns, Raisah Khan, that outlines some of the reasons people may decide to review their Estate Plan. It is important that your Estate Plan follows you and adapts as needed should your family dynamics, wishes, or goals evolve. https://www.liushairlaw.com//when-and-how-often-to-review-

Shannon will be speaking on Special Needs Trusts this Friday to the Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN). If you are interested, the registration link can be found in FCSN’s weekly newsletter, found here: https://mailchi.mp/1f8e7/fcsn-weekly-announcements-10139405

Happy National Dog Day! Pets are a big part of many families’ lives and we love to hear about your pets and help you include pets in your planning.

Happy International Women’s Day! We love supporting female owned small businesses through Kiva loans, purchases, and networking. It is such an honor to raise a strong girl and hope she is growing into an empowered woman. May the next generation of women have a bright future full of opportunity where they are supported and uplifted through their journeys.

Today marks the beginning of Read Across America, which is a time of introducing children to diversity in books. Today also is the start of Women’s History Month. It is so crucial that the next generation develops a love of literacy and is exposed to diverse themes and characters. May children see themselves in the books they read, be able to envision themselves as leaders, and grow up to reach their dreams.

This is a great article that discusses the considerations in distributing your estate in unequal amounts to your beneficiaries. The decision on how to divide your assets is a highly personal one that can bring in family dynamics, special needs issues, and many other factors. Sometimes we need to consider if our legacy is meant to purely be a gift or if it needs to fulfill a need. The last thing that we would want is for our family to quarrel, have conflict, or contest our wishes. This article highlights several different scenarios and experiences from Estate Planning attorneys. It is crucial that your Estate Plan is thoughtfully crafted with an attorney who takes the time to discuss these goals and wishes.

Happy Lunar New Year and the start of the Year of the Ox! If you are celebrating, we hope you are joyful, though celebrations are different this year. We are thankful for technology that makes it easy to stay connected to our loved ones. Also, I'd like to use this opportunity to mention the appalling increase in violent crimes against individuals of Asian descent. May our world become more inclusive, loving, and kind this year and always.... May you eat well, rest, and celebrate good things to come.

If you are in the Bay Area, we hope that you are enjoying the respite from rainy weather today. Here is a great article that we wanted to share called "15 Personal-Finance Lessons We Can All Learn From the Year of Covid-19." The article mentions Estate Planning in terms of wills because wills are necessary nationwide; that being said, each state is different and typically in states like California, a trust is also important to avoid probate. "No one expected the level of t...ragedy that occurred world-wide last year. And people don’t want to think about the idea of dying one daya reason why they often kick this can down the road. But a big lesson of 2020 is that you should be prepared for the worst." We like to remind clients that we typically don't expect anything to happen to them anytime soon. Nonetheless, we want to be prepared and have a comprehensive plan that addresses short term, mid term, and long term wishes. The two scenarios we hope people avoid are: 1) passing away without their Estate Planning and having their families stress out through the probate court process and 2) becoming incapacitated and having their families stress out because they know that an Estate Plan is crucial, but the family member now lacks mental capacity to make decisions and sign off on a plan.

Though we are still bringing many of the burdens, challenges, and stresses from 2020, I hope that we all can further the growth, gratitude, and grit that we have been developing. Many people set up New Year's resolutions, which hopefully will be followed through. Mine is to continue to let go of things/people that are toxic and to bring in more things/people that are life giving. Finally creating an Estate Plan is a popular resolution. Here is a post for those who may be ...thinking about Estate Planning in the New Year. https://www.liushairlaw.com//thinking-about-estate-plannin I hope it is helpful and please feel free to share it with those who may be interested. Happy New Year!

We are thankful for the treats, cards, and well wishes from our clients and friends. This holiday season, we hope you are finding some joy in your community, even though we may be more distant than usual. It’s an honor to continue working with clients on their customized and comprehensive planning. Every introduction and referral means so much because it’s a reminder that we are trusted to guide your loved ones through this important and personal process. We look forward to a few days off soon to rest and hopefully can refrain from checking voicemails and emails!

We sent out our annual year end newsletter to our clients and supporters yesterday. In case you are interested to hear about updates to the law (this year has been a busy one) or what's been going on with the firm, here is the digital version: https://mailchi.mp/32610e143cf6/2020newsletter Please note that the newsletter is for informational purposes only, should not be considered legal advice, and receipt does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Happy Thanksgiving! Though this year’s holidays have been looking different than usual and may feel less celebratory, we hope you still are able to take time to reflect on thankfulness. This year, we are thankful we have been able to adapt with technology and other ways to continue to serve our clients well with customized planning. In this tough time, being able to provide peace of mind and guide others through tough conversations has been a blessing. Also, we are very a...ware of the difficulty that many are going through with food insecurity, homelessness, and access to basic needs. Currently, we are working with Restore22 and Renegade Feedings to collect solar powered battery packs, backpacks, and underwear for our unhoused community. If you are able to contribute, please get in touch! We are collecting through December 17. We send love to those who are particularly feeling loss around the holidays. May you all stay safe and supported in these challenging times.

Lately, we’ve been noticing more homeless individuals on the streets. The past few days, we’ve driven by two people who had signs saying that they are hungry. When we see this, I often ask the kids what we can do to help. Tonight, we packed some care bags so that next time we see someone in need, we can offer this to them. The days are getting colder; let’s bring some warmth and love to others. Though opportunities to give back this holiday season are less focused on volunteering in person, there are many ways to give back to others. Please let us know if you would like suggestions on local ways to help out.

Today is Love Your Lawyer Day. Often, people may have a negative association with lawyers, thinking that we can be cold and impersonal. Some lawyers like to portray themselves solemnly, evoking images of Roman columns and the Scales of Justice, rather than being real people like their clients. It's been such a pleasure to break this mold by taking the time to get to know my clients, making sure their needs are met, and answering the questions they didn't even know they had.... Being able to bring together my professional skills and personal experience to guide clients through this process is so meaningful. The type of planning that we provide needs to be personal, customized, and comprehensive. I feel grateful to be trusted to help families with this very important planning that can bring up fears and topics people don't like to discuss. Each review, recommendation, and introduction from a client means so much; it is an honor to be loved and appreciated in a field that is so crucial to do thoroughly. Thank you for your support. It means so much to me as a lawyer, community advocate, and mother.

Thank you to Assemblymember Kansen Chu for the honor of naming me a Community Hero this year. It is so meaningful to be recognized for my volunteerism in the community for Congenital Heart Defect awareness and with the other activities I am involved in (including Fremont Education Foundation, Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN)). Being active in the community as an attorney, advocate, and leader brings me joy and purpose. If you have causes you are passionate about, I’d love to hear about them! If you are looking for opportunities to give back in the community, please get in touch and I’ll be happy to connect you to worthy causes.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! The fall season has several different cultural observances that follow the lunar calendar. The Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates the largest full moon of the year, known as the Harvest Moon. We send you all love, light, and the ability to connect with family and reflect on our blessings in a tumultuous year.

This week was National Estate Planning Awareness Week, which is a good time to educate people on this important topic that can be confusing and overwhelming. Thank you to FUN Mothers Club for hosting our talk on Estate Planning and Disaster Preparedness. It is so nice to connect with the community and many of the attendees also have young children! For those who are interested, here are blog posts that go over some of the topics we discussed tonight: ... https://www.liushairlaw.com/bl/2018/9//parents-perspective https://www.liushairlaw.com//2/10/11/disaster-preparedness

National Estate Planning Awareness Week starts October 16; Estate Planning is a topic that many have been interested in learning about this year. Also, with the recent fires and earthquakes, it is so important to prepare for disasters. Shannon will be leading a virtual talk on Estate Planning and Disaster Preparedness on Friday, October 23 at 7:30 PM, hosted by FUN Mothers Club. You can register for the event at: https://www.funmothersclub.org/event-4003060... Also, please feel free to share the event and the link with others who may be interested as the community event is open to all.

Shannon will be answering questions on Special Needs Planning and ABLE accounts tomorrow (Friday) for Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN). If you are interested, but cannot make it, please feel free to email the office (hello at liushairlaw.com) and we can either send you notes or you can set up a time to chat.

The firm focuses on guiding families in developing their customized and comprehensive Estate Plans. We often see clients at several different life stages: 1) Client who have young children, 2) Clients whose children are young adults, 3) Clients who are already retired.... Clients in different life stages may have very different goals and objectives that we address in their planning process. Each client's needs are unique and we aim to provide each set of clients a catered experience where they feel their questions are answered, they understand what their plan does, and their plan is set up specifically for them. Here is a great article that discusses the different life stages and Estate Planning needs associated with each stage. https://www.thenewsenterprise.com//article_b394b17d-ea74-5

May we always do our best, act with our hearts and our minds, while striving to uplift others all the way. Rest In Peace, Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

I’m honored to be recognized as a 2020 Community Hero. It is so meaningful to be involved as a leader in the non-profits I serve as a board member and volunteer, an advocate for Congenital Heart Defect Awareness, an active member of a start-up church (Restore22)that gives back to the community, and volunteer for our Fremont schools and students. Being an Estate Planning attorney also allows me to share my passions with my clients and the community so they can join me in helping worthwhile causes. Thank you, Assemblymember Kansen Chu.

Thank you to Teh Financial Coaching for having me today! It was great to chat and answer questions on a topic that I feel is very important and interesting (though many may think it's pretty boring). Please feel free to share the video with those who may have questions about Estate Planning, Digital Assets, or Special Needs Planning.

I will be speaking this evening (Tuesday, September 2) at 5 PM on Linkedin Live with Teh Financial Coaching about Estate Planning, Digital Assets, and Special Needs Planning. I hope you can listen in...if you are unable to make it tonight, I will send the link for the video recording when that is up. https://www.linkedin.com//urn:li:activity:670700739509834/

Happy September! It's hard to believe that we are leaving the summer season soon. Things continue to be moving along with our client work as people are still interested in creating their Estate Plans in a customized, comprehensive, and well-thought out manner with the firm. Though this article came out in 2019, it still has a lot of great things to consider with regards to misconceptions about Estate Planning. This topic can bring up fears, emotions, and also a lot of misinformation if it is not approached in a thoughtful and methodical manner. Make sure that when you create your Estate Plan, you are asking questions, your attorney is asking you questions, and you are getting answers to questions you didn't even know you had. https://www.forbes.com//3-lies-people-tell-themselves-abou

People often ask about what to keep in their emergency box. Here’s what’s in mine. We keep it in the closet by the garage door because that is a cool and dry place for storage. This is the emergency kit I have ready to go; the only big thing I don’t have in here is food, which you’ll want to make sure you have. Fire safe box (originals of important documents, scans are on Dropbox)... Gas and water shut off tool First aid supplies (kit and extra gauze, cloth tape, first aid cream) Trash Bags Toothbrushes and toothpaste Work gloves Hand crank radio Hand crank flashlight, battery operated flashlight, battery operated lantern Portable power bank Dust masks Some cash in small denominations Utensils, collapsible bowl Space blankets Lighter (I do have candles in here, but if the emergency is a fire, you want to be really careful) Change of clothes Water Water purifying tablets Duct tape Toilet paper Paper towels Hand sanitizer I don’t keep food in this box, but you’ll want to have food with you too I hope this is helpful as you are thinking about future planning. Here is a post I wrote on disaster planning: https://www.liushairlaw.com//2/10/11/disaster-preparedness Also, if you haven’t already, I highly recommend taking the Personal Emergency Preparedness training through your city’s Community Emergency Response Team. Here are some of the highlights I got from the training: https://www.liushairlaw.com//personal-emergency-preparedne Stay safe!

Wildfire season has started and it is evident in the unhealthy air quality we are experiencing. We hope everyone stays safe and prepared in case of the need to evacuate quickly. Here is a post I wrote a while back about disaster planning. I hope it helps. Different cities will be setting up evacuation centers if evacuation orders have been issued. Please stay updated if there are any evacuation orders that affect you.... https://www.liushairlaw.com//2/10/11/disaster-preparedness

In this time of pandemic, it is so important to give back to those who need extra assistance. Along with Restore22, we helped collect much needed items to get City of Fremont, CA Government’s Housing Navigation Center ready for its first residents. The Housing Navigation Center will support participants with Bay Area Community Services (BACS) running operations. If you’re ever looking for ways to get involved and give back in the community, please get in touch and we can connect you to great local causes.