The primary tools for an estate plan are wills, revocable living trusts, durable powers of attorney for financial management, pay-on-death accounts, beneficiary designations, joint tenancies, advance health care directives, guardianship nominations and related documents.
Nancy Lazar joined the Law Offices of Jerilyn Paik as a Legal Assistant in 2002, fulfilling a long-time goal of working in Estate Planning and Probate. Nancy grew up in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, moved to Sacramento and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from CSU Sacramento, then a Certificate in Legal Assisting from American River College. Prior to working at our office, Nancy was working in the field of Immigration Law. She has been a Notary Public since 1998.
Wills
Moderator/Speaker, CEB (Continuing Education of the Bar): Estates and Trust Litigation and Dispute Resolution, 1989, 1991, 1994; Fundamentals of Estate Planning, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2008; Planning the Smaller Estate, 1998, 1999, 2000; Assessing Capacity and Undue Influence: Avoid Will Contests, 2002; Litigating Will Contests, Undue Influence and Capacity Cases, 2002.
Trusts
While having a Trust may avoid probate, there are still administrative tasks that must be completed upon the incapacity or death of a settlor (“trustor”). Our experienced attorneys know the ins and outs of trust administration and regularly assist our clients in performing these administrative tasks.
Power of Attorney
A “financial power of attorney” is a legal document in which you name another person to act as your “attorney-in-fact” for purposes of asset management. The attorney-in-fact is authorized to act on behalf of the principal (i.e., the person executing the power of attorney) with respect to the powers given in the power of attorney. The power of attorney can be all-encompassing – I give this person the authority to act on my behalf for all financial purposes – or it can be very limited and tailored to specific situations – I give this person the authority to do this specific act. For example, if you are traveling out of the country for a few months, you may wish to designate someone as your attorney-in-fact to pay your bills while you are away.
Probate
Faculty Member, Moderator and Lecturer, NBI, Inc. (National Business Institute): Estate and Probate Administration, 1993; Probate Procedures and Practice, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2008; California Probate: Beyond the Basics, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2003; Oddities and Challenges in California Probate Law, 2004; The Probate Process from Start to Finish, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015; The Probate Process From Start to Finish for Paralegals, 2013, 2016; Estate Planning and Administration: The Complete Guide, 2015; Probate Boot Camp, 2016; Estate Administration From Start to Finish, 2017.