The Law Offices of Nett & Nett, PC

We are moving! Starting next Monday, June 8, 2020, our new location will be at The Summit Building at One Ridgegate Drive, Suite 210 in Temecula, California. We are a local, family operated firm and we’ve been in Temecula 20 years practicing estate planning, probate, and business planning. Schedule your appointment today and come see us at our new location.

Happy Easter to all those who celebrate! While this year's celebrations will undoubtedly look and feel different, we hope this holiday brings comfort, peace, and joy to you and your family. We look forward to meeting with you all in the near future. Please stay safe and healthy!

IS YOUR ESTATE PLAN DONE? Amid the coronavirus crisis, people are seeking to update or draft wills and take other estate-planning measures. At this time, we are facing a fast-moving, deadly pandemic and it has prompted panic and uncertainty not only in our financial markets but around the world and the global economy. Some people feel there is not sufficient time to implement strategies for estate planning in light of current circumstances. In light of our current situation,... there are still planning options available to you for implementation. It is recommended that you have these three basics: a will, a power of attorney, and an advance health care directive. The will provides instructions to your loved ones with regard to the distribution of your assets in accordance with your wishes, while a power of attorney will allow another person to make financial decisions on your behalf should you be unable to do so on your own and the directive provides the requisite directions for medical care professionals with regard to your treatment and care. In addition to the basics mentioned above, you should also consider a living trust whereby your assets are transferred into a revocable living trust for your benefit during your lifetime that allows for the effective and efficient administration without the necessity of the probate courts and the costs associated with the same. Not only should you consider your estate planning documents, you should make sure to review all your beneficiary designations on life insurance, retirement accounts, bank accounts, annuities and other financial assets that allow for the designation of a beneficiary. If you already have an estate plan in place, you should also consider having the plan reviewed to ensure it still meets your needs. If there have been changes in the family due to a divorce, marriage, birth or other circumstances, you should update your documents to be reflective of your current wishes. You should also consider updated your directive in light of technological advances in medicine or as a result in your wishes as to what steps are to be taken with regard to your medical care. Whether you are looking to set up your estate plan or make changes to your current plan, we can assist you in this important task. Please contact us at (866) 511-NETT to schedule a no cost, telephonic consultation.

During this time of chaos and uncertainty, we wanted to let you know that we are still here to support you. The Law Offices of Nett & Nett, P.C., are working hard to keep up with our clients and provide the best service we can during the Coronavirus outbreak. We here at the Law Offices of Nett & Nett understand our clients may have questions and concerns about the prevention and containment of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and their ability to interact with our firm. The health and ...safety of our clients is our priority. To that end, we are working on ways to reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19. Some of the changes include the following: 1. Telephonic client consultations; 2. Email and digital transmission of any and all documentation from our offices to you or from you to our offices; 3. Any required in person signings requiring witnesses or notary public (i.e., will and trust signings) will be accommodated on a case by case basis and can be postponed until safer conditions exist. As you know, we are a family run firm and know all too well this can be a challenging time for everyone with the confusion of new work and school arrangements and changing responsibilities. In this time, we are here for you, your family and your businesses and remain available for consultations and providing you your necessary legal documentation. With today’s technology, all consultations can be done telephonically with documentation transmitted via electronic means allowing us to continue to serve our clients while keeping everyone safe. Should you require legal assistance, please call our office so we may determine the best course of action for your specific situation. We look forward to seeing you back in our office soon.

THE NECESSITY OF WILLS IN CALIFORNIA By Amy K. Nett, Esq. Every adult should think about making a will and, as your assets and family ties increase, the more the need for a will grows. If you have a family, own a home or have any type of savings, you should, at the very least, have a will.... According to Smart Money Magazine, over seventy percent of adult Americans have neglected to write a will. If you die without a will, your estate will pass by the California laws of intestacy, allowing the laws of the state to determine how your property will be distributed among your heirs. A will is also crucial for parents with minor children because a will allows for the parent(s) to name a guardian in a will and make arrangements for financial support even after the age if minority. Otherwise, a probate court judge - a stranger - will decide where and with whom your children will live. If you do not have minor aged children, you probably think your estate is not worth the trouble of drafting a will. For those of you who think this is true, sit down and tally up your assets. Most people are worth more than they think. Now remember, your assets include items such as your house, your investment portfolio, the value of your retirement plan and the payout of your insurance plan - to name a few. After you have all your assets listed, you will likely realize that a will may not be such a bad idea. Now, with your list of assets in hand, you can then decide who will receive these assets and who should be the executor of your estate. One final note - once you have a will in place, don’t forget to update it. You should amend a will whenever there is a change in your family’s circumstances - a birth, a death, a marriage or a move out of state. Even though a will may seem like a hassle now, it's nothing compared to the hassle your heirs will face if die without a will. Should you or a family member have additional questions or concerns regarding the drafting of a new will or the amendment of an existing, please contact our offices for a free consultation. We wish all a very prosperous and healthy new year! Amy K. Nett, Esq. [email protected] 951-506-2980

Common Questions About Living Trusts by Amy K. Nett, Esq. What exactly is a living trust? In simple terms, a living trust is contract or agreement between the person creating the trust (the settlor) and the person named to manage the trust assets (the trustee). In this agreement, the trustee is given the legal right to manage and control the assets held in the trust as determined by the powers and authority contained within the language of the trust. As such, the settlor giv...Continue reading

DOES YOUR FAMILY KNOW YOUR HEALTH CARE WISHES? The Need for Advance Health Care Directives By Amy K. Nett, Esq.... It has been 13 years since the death of Terri Schiavo and the legal battle her spouse and parents endured for over 15 years. Schiavo’s case showed us what can happen when decisions are not made and legal documents are not put in place to ensure our wishes are followed. It can mean an individuals’ ultimate fate can end up in the hands of feuding family members, judges and legislators. An advance health care directive gives you the opportunity to appoint someone (your agent) to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to do so for yourself. You can also define how much or how little authority you want your agent to have. In addition to naming an agent, the advance directive allows you to provide specific instructions about your health care treatment, which may include donation of organs, life sustaining treatment, autopsy, or other important health care decisions. Prior to executing an advance health care directive, you should consider your goals for medical treatment, who should be your agent, how specific you want the advance directive to be, and whether your health care providers will follow your wishes as set forth in the advance directive. You should also consult your doctor, as he or she is an important participant in creating your health care advance directive. You should discuss the kinds of medical problems you may face, as your doctor can help you understand the treatment choices your agent may face. More importantly, if your doctor has any objections to your wishes, you have the opportunity to work them out or, if need be, find another doctor. Without an advance directive, if you become incapacitated and are unable to communicate with medical professionals, your family would need to seek a conservatorship in the probate court requesting orders to allow someone the authority to care for you during your incapacity. A conservatorship is a public proceeding and can be time consuming and expensive. An advance directive can provide you and your family peace of mind should the need ever arise. The Law Offices of Nett & Nett, P.C., can assist you with your estate planning needs. Call 866-511-NETT for a free consultation.