Practice Areas

As a Red Cross volunteer, I was engaged in the emergency relief deployment after terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Not only was this a sad and tragic series of events because of the loss of life and the change it wrought in our sense of security within our borders, it demonstrated how unprepared most families are.

The buildings and airplanes involved in the attacks held primarily people of working age, most in the prime of life. There were some children, some seniors, but most were people going about their daily work routine, as were the hundreds of emergency personnel who responded and also lost their lives.

Accountants, financial consultants, restaurant workers, security personnel, building engineers, police, firefighters, military men and women and yes, lawyers, did not have Wills or Trusts designating what would happen to their assets. Lawyers were among the most prevalent of those without plans. The shoemakers’ children go without shoes.

Not only did approximately 70% not have written plans, most did not have adequate financial coverage for families through life insurance or other means. 70% is the approximate national average of those dying without an estate plan.

I have listened to family members whose loved one is critically ill and there are no instructions about end of life care. I have been visited by the adult children of a parent who told the kids everything was taken care of but they cannot find any of the paperwork.

In my own extended family, there were emotional disputes about what type of service a beloved sister wished to have. When a young couple was killed in a car accident on a weekend get-away for their anniversary, their three young children were the subject of turmoil among family factions, each of whom thought he or she should be appointed guardian.

An estate plan is the kindest gift you can leave your family and loved ones. Don’t make them guess what you want. Have it written down and let them know where the papers are.

I can help you reduce your wishes to writing and can make it affordable to do so. Contact Kathleen Wright at kathleen@kswrightlaw.com

Estate Planning

Why Have an Estate Plan?
More than 70% of adults in the United States do not have estate plans.

Small Business Advice

Formations: Corporation, Limited Liability Company, Partnership or Sole Proprietorship, which is right for you?
Compliance and Disclosures: Maintaining records, Conducting Meetings and documenting them, Filings with the California Secretary of States and potentially with Federal agencies
Sales and Mergers: Do you sell stock or assets? How do you value a business? What type of disclosures are necessary? What liabilities will you continue to bear? Tax clearances, dissolution of business entities.
Purchases: What are you purchasing?
- Negotiations.
- Purchase and Sale Agreement
- Other necessary documents such as Bill of Sale, Promissory Note.
- State and Local Licenses.
- Permission of State or Federal agencies.

Non-Profit Formations and Administrative Matters

Acquiring Tax Exempt Status
Administrative filings: Registering with the California Attorney General; Statement of Information every 2 years.
Compliance: Filing corporate tax returns in timely manner (no tax due, but the informational return due)
Documentation: Bylaws, Regular Board Meetings, Written Policies for Volunteers, Gift Acceptance Policies.
“Unrelated Business Income” – special considerations for non-profit entities