Month: November 2023

2023


Janani-Rana_160x240

JANANI S. RANA, CFLS*

*CERTIFIED SPECIALIST – FAMILY LAW
THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION

 

HAS BEEN NAMED A PARTNER
OF THE FIRM

Jeffifer-Corona_140x210
JENNIFER CORONA		 Shabnam-Saadatkhah_140x210
SHABNAM SAADATKHAH		 Samantha-Pruett_140x210
SAMANTHA K. SHEEHAN
JOINED THE MINYARD MORRIS TEAM
AS ASSOCIATES

ATTORNEY NEWS

Mark E. Minyard

Michael A. Morris

  • Presented at Association of Certified Family Law Specialists’ Annual Spring 2023 Seminar
  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Membership Committee
  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Membership Long Range Planning Committee
  • Volunteered at the monthly Human Options Legal Clinic in San Juan Capistrano

Lonnie Seide

  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Membership Committee

Matthew S. Buttacavoli

  • Presented at OCBA Family Law Section: “Tools for Dealing With The Non-Disclosing Business Owner: Beyond Motions to Compel”
  • Elected President of the Constitutional Rights Foundation-Orange County’s Board of Directors
  • Presented at Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, “Navigating Settlement Conferences: Harnessing the Tools to Settle Your Client’s Case” with Hon. Nancy Wieben Stock (Ret.) of JAMS

Alexander C. Payne

  • Appointed to the Orange County Bar Association’s Board of Directors
  • Youngest Fellow admitted to the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
  • Elected to the Public Law Center’s Board of Directors
  • Elected Treasurer for the Orange County Asian American Bar Association
  • Elected President for the Orange County Korean American Bar Association’s Foundation

Janani S. Rana

Jonathan T. Little

  • Renewed board member seat to the Community Legal Aid SoCal Finance and Audit Committees Board for the next three years
  • Presented at the OCBA Family Law Section: “Tools For Dealing With The Non-Disclosing Business Owner: Beyond Motions to Compel”
  • Presented at the OCBA YLD: “Demystifying Depositions: The Laws, Tips, & Strategies You Need to Know”

Scott M. Savage

  • Appointed to the Orange County Bar Association Family Law Section Executive Board for a 4th year
  • Appointed as member of the Constitutional Rights Foundation-Orange County’s Board
  • Presented at the OCBA Family Law Section “Tips and Strategies to Oppose and Move-Away Request” with Judge Miller & Attorney Campuzano
  • Presented at the OCBA Family Law Series Part 1: “Custody, Child Support & DVPA”

Aditi Murillo

  • Elected to the OCBA YLD Board for the 2nd term as Diversity & Inclusion Chair
  • Elected to the Project Youth OC Associate Board
  • Attended the National Family Law Trial Institute – Advanced Cross-Examination Institute
  • Presented at the Constitutional Rights Foundation Orange County’s 8th Grade Constitution Day Program
  • Presented at the Orange County Constitutional Rights Foundation Law Day seminar at Chapman University School of Law

John Murillo

  • Elected to the OCBA YLD Board for the 2nd term as Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chair
  • Elected to the Project Youth OC Associate Board as Board Liaison
  • Attended the National Family Law Trial Institute – Advanced Cross-Examination Institute
  • Presented at the Constitutional Rights Foundation Orange County’s 8th Grade Constitution Day Program
  • Co-Chaired associate attorney Jonathan T. Little’s OCBA YLD Presentation: “Demystifying Depositions: The Laws, Tips, & Strategies You Need to Know
  • Co-Chaired OCBA YLD Presentation: “Impaired Colleague? Addressing Attorney Competency, the Warning Signs, and Getting Help.”

Leyla S. Tabatabaie

  • Elected to a Second Term of the Iranian American Bar Association’s Orange County Board
  • Attended the National Family Law Trial Institute – Advanced Cross Examination

Samantha K. Sheehan

  • Attended the National Family Law Trial Institute – Kolodny Trial Skills

Denise H. Koeller

  • Elected to Orange County Asian American Bar Association Board of Directors
FIRM NEWS & ACCOLADES

Super Lawyers

  • Top 100 Lawyers – Southern California
    • Mark E. Minyard
  • Top 50 Lawyers – Orange County
    • Mark E. Minyard and Michael A. Morris
  • Super Lawyers for 2023
    • Mark E. Minyard, Michael A. Morris, Lonnie K. Seide, Matthew S. Buttacavoli
  • Rising Stars for 2023
    • Alexander C. Payne, Janani S. Rana, Leyla S. Tabatabaie, Samantha K. Sheehan

Best Lawyers in America

  • Minyard Morris selected as a Tier 1 Best Law Firm for 2024 (Best Lawyers® 2024 “Best Law Firms”)
  • Best Lawyers for 2024
    • Mark E. Minyard, Michael A. Morris, Lonnie K. Seide
  • Ones to Watch for 2024
    • Alexander C. Payne, Janani S. Rana, Scott M. Savage, Leyla S. Tabatabaie, Denise H. Koeller, Vicky Zuberi

Lawdragon

  • Leading Family Lawyers for 2024
    • Mark E. Minyard and Michael A. Morris
SPONSORSHIPS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Minyard Morris contributed to the following entities in 2023:

  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Foundation
  • Anti-Defamation League
  • Constitutional Rights Foundation Orange County
  • Iranian American Bar Association
  • Legal Aid SoCal
  • Orange County Bar Association
  • Orange County Bar Association – Charitable Fund
  • Orange County Asian American Bar Association
  • Orange County Hispanic Bar Association
  • Orange County Korean American Bar Association and Foundation
  • Orange County Women Lawyers Association
  • OCBF Project Youth
  • Public Law Center
  • South Asian Bar Association of Southern California
  • USC Gould School of Law
  • USD School of Law
  • Veterans Legal Institute
  • Vietnamese American Bar Association of Southern California

2023 badges earned v4

IN 2023

Janani-Rana_160x240

JANANI S. RANA, CFLS*

*CERTIFIED SPECIALIST – FAMILY LAW
THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION

HAS BEEN NAMED A PARTNER
OF THE FIRM

Jeffifer-Corona_140x210
JENNIFER CORONA		 Samantha-Pruett_140x210
SAMANTHA K. SHEEHAN		 Shabnam-Saadatkhah_140x210
SHABNAM SAADATKHAH
JOINED THE MINYARD MORRIS TEAM
AS ASSOCIATES

ATTORNEY NEWS

Mark E. Minyard

Michael A. Morris

  • Presented at Association of Certified Family Law Specialists’ Annual Spring 2023 Seminar

Matthew S. Buttacavoli

  • Presented at OCBA Family Law Section: “Tools for Dealing With The Non-Disclosing Business Owner: Beyond Motions to Compel”
  • Elected President of the Constitutional Rights Foundation-Orange County’s Board of Directors
  • Presented at Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, “Navigating Settlement Conferences: Harnessing the Tools to Settle Your Client’s Case” with Judge Stock

Alexander C. Payne

  • Admitted as Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
  • Elected to Public Law Center’s Board of Directors

Janani S. Rana

Jonathan T. Little

  • Presented at OCBA Family Law Section: “Tools For Dealing With The Non-Disclosing Business Owner: Beyond Motions to Compel”
  • Presented at OCBA YLD: “Demystifying Depositions: The Laws, Tips, & Strategies You Need to Know”

Scott M. Savage

  • Presented at OCBA Family Law Section “Tips and Strategies to Oppose and Move-Away Request” with Judge Miller & Attorney Campuzano
  • Presented at OCBA Family Law Series Part 1: “Custody, Child Support & DVPA”

Aditi Murillo

  • Elected to OCBA YLD Board as Diversity & Inclusion Chair
  • Elected to serve on Project Youth OC Associate Board
  • Attended the National Family Law Trial Institute – Advanced Cross Examination
  • Volunteered as Presenter for Constitutional Rights Foundation Orange County’s 8th Grade Constitution Day Program

John Murillo

  • Elected to OCBA YLD Board as Education Chair
  • Elected to serve on Project Youth OC Associate Board
  • Attended the National Family Law Trial Institute – Advanced Cross Examination
  • Volunteered as Presenter for Constitutional Rights Foundation Orange County’s 8th Grade Constitution Day Program
  • Co-Chaired associate attorney’s Jonathan T. Little’s OCBA YLD Presentation: “Demystifying Depositions: The Laws, Tips, & Strategies You Need to Know
  • Co-Chaired OCBA YLD Presentation: “Impaired Colleague? Addressing Attorney Competency, the Warning Signs, and Getting Help.”

Leyla S. Tabatabaie

  • Elected to Second Term of Iranian American Bar Association’s Orange County Board
  • Attended the National Family Law Trial Institute – Advanced Cross Examination

Samantha K. Sheehan

  • Attended the National Family Law Trial Institute – Kolodny Trial Skills

Denise H. Koeller

  • Elected to the Orange County Asian American Bar Association Board of Directors
FIRM NEWS

Super Lawyers

  • Top 50 Lawyers – Orange County
    • Mark E. Minyard and Michael A. Morris
  • Top 100 Lawyers – Southern California
    • Mark E. Minyard
  • Super Lawyers for 2023
    • Mark E. Minyard, Michael A. Morris, Lonnie K. Seide, Matthew S. Buttacavoli
  • Rising Stars for 2023
    • Alexander C. Payne, Janani S. Rana, Leyla S. Tabatabaie, Samantha K. Sheehan

Best Lawyers

  • Minyard Morris selected as a Tier 1 Best Law Firm for 2024
  • Best Lawyers for 2024
    • Mark E. Minyard, Michael A. Morris, Lonnie K. Seide
  • Ones to Watch for 2024
    • Alexander C. Payne, Janani S. Rana, Scott M. Savage, Leyla S. Tabatabaie, Denise H. Koeller, Vicky Zuberi

Lawdragon

  • Leading Family Lawyers for 2024
    • Mark E. Minyard and Michael A. Morris
SPONSORSHIPS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Minyard Morris contributed to the following non-profit organizations in 2023:

  • OCHBA Installation
  • OCBF Project Youth – OC Marathon
  • OCBA Masters Division Celebratory Lunch
  • OCBA Charitable Fund – Golf Tournament
  • SABA-SC Annual Banquet
  • PLC Volunteers for Justice
  • OCBF Brewfest
  • OCBA Masters Division Angels Games
  • OCAABA Installation Dinner
  • USC Gould Summer Mixer
  • OCBA Charitable Fund
  • OCBA Masters Division Legends of the Law
  • ADL Jurisprudence Dinner
  • IABA Annual ABC Night
  • OCKABA 18th Installation Dinner
  • CRF-OC Annual Benefit
  • Legal Aid SoCal Justice Served
  • OCWLA Annual Gala
  • PLC Halloween Bash
  • VABASC Installation
  • VLI Lawyer for Warriors
  • USC Gould Annual Holiday Mixer
  • MSB’s USD OC Law Alumni Holiday Party
  • OCBA Masters Division Winter Celebration
  • OCBF Project Youth
  • Public Law Center
  • Hispanic Bar Association
  • AAML

Holiday Greetings!

winter

Holiday Greetings!

Mortensen & Reinheimer, PC would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our clients for their patronage during 2023.  We truly appreciate your business and confidence in us.

We would also like to wish each of you our warmest holiday greetings and best for a healthy 2024!

Need Help?

We are always available to serve you with your estate planning, conservatorships and probate & litigation requirements.  Please contact Mortensen & Reinheimer, PC at (714) 384-6053 to make an appointment, or use our online contact form.  Our website is http://www.ocestateplanning.net.

Introducing Our Newest Probate & Trust Litigation Attorney – Emily A. Pepper

Emily Pepper

Introducing Our Newest Probate & Trust Litigation Attorney – Emily A. Pepper

Mortensen & Reinheimer, PC is pleased to announce the addition of Emily A. Pepper to our Probate & Trust Litigation team.

Ms. Pepper brings a wealth of experience in trusts and estates to our clients.  She was previously an Associate Attorney at Greenberg Traurig, where she gained extensive training in trusts and estates, as well as related real estate and corporate matters.  She then joined Northern Trust Company before coming to Mortensen & Reinheimer, PC.  This combined legal, wealth management, and fiduciary expertise has positioned Ms. Pepper to meticulously advocate and litigate for clients in the trust and estate practice area.

Focus Areas

  • Trust & Estate Litigation
  • Trust & Estate Asset Litigation
  • Breach of Fiduciary Duty
  • Trustee & Executor Removal
  • Undue Influence/Financial Elder Abuse
  • Beneficiary Rights
  • Contested Conservatorships

Ms. Pepper received her Juris Doctorate degree from the Dale E. Fowler School of Law at Chapman University in Orange County, California.   On a personal note, Ms. Pepper is the founder of E. Audrey Enterprises, and is a connoisseur of fashion, home décor, and furniture.  Additionally, she is deeply committed to various charitable causes, in particular animal rescue efforts.

Please contact Emily at emily@ocestateplanning.net.

Happy Holidays 2023

frustration

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing Estate Plans

An estate plan should provide for the distribution of your assets, the care of your dependents, and the naming of an executor to entrust the carrying out of your wishes.  When properly crafted, it will save time, money, and stress for your loved ones – including reducing the likelihood of family disputes.  These straightforward goals are easily stated but implementation is much more difficult.

Unfortunately, many estates are tumultuous and even disputed due to mistakes made when crafting an estate plan.  Let’s look at some of the more common errors:

Avoid These Mistakes 

  1. Selecting the wrong trustee – If you choose an incompetent trustee, it doesn’t really matter if you get everything else right in creating your estate plan. A trustee is responsible for managing a trust on behalf of its beneficiaries and distributing assets according to the trust’s specifications (see “What does a Trustee do after the Settlor dies?”).  Finding the right person to be in charge (either a professional trustee or a non-professional) can be the difference between positive and detrimental family relations after you depart, so take the time to select the right person.
  2. Messing up your beneficiaries – Quite often, a spouse and children will be first in line for inheritance, followed by parents, siblings, extended family members. However, this is certainly not always the case – and it may change over time.  Are certain friends more important in your life vs. a relative that is inconsequential? Would you like to provide for a charity? Do some people need money more than others?
  3. Not considering all your assets – It’s important to carefully consider all your assets and include a provision for everything that you wish to distribute to your beneficiaries. This doesn’t necessarily mean designating specific assets vs. splitting everything equally (i.e., there are important legal impacts of such strategies), but it does mean knowing what assets you have and evaluating if there is merit in unequal distribution and/or specific allocations.
  4. Asset distribution – Equality is a concept that many trustors use as a baseline when deciding how to divide up their estate. It is much simpler, and the initial perception might be that “fair” clearly means an equal split of all assets to beneficiaries – but this isn’t necessarily the case. In many circumstances, equal distribution of assets among beneficiaries is the right choice, but there are some cases where fair/equitable distribution (unequal distribution) better suits the trustor’s goals.
  5. Neglecting asset titling/funding the trust – Creating a will or trust can designate plans for your assets but it is very important to take the next step and ensure that assets are properly titled. The titling will impact who controls the assets, how your assets are distributed, tax consequences, whether or not they need to go through probate, and whether the assets are subject to creditors’ claims. To “fund” a trust simply means to transfer assets into it.
  6. Not executing the estate plan properly – This includes getting all the facts correct, attending to every detail, and having all the proper legal documentation in place.
  7. Forgetting about taxes, debts, and other liabilities – Taxes are a critical consideration in estate planning, even if your estate is under the federal estate tax exemption. These may involve gift taxes, Inherited IRAs, state taxes, etc.  While debt is a day-to-day matter in most of our lives, it can become a challenge for your heirs.  No debt, liability or claim should be paid until you meet with an estate attorney.
  8. Failure to hold a family meeting – While many trustors avoid discussing their estate plan with heirs, this can be a mistake in terms of the goal of avoiding disputes and maintaining family harmony. A family meeting can help to prevent surprises, should the trustor become incapacitated or pass away, as well as to minimize potential disagreements and discord.

This list could be very long –see “More Mistakes Made When Drafting an Estate Plan.”

Specialized Estate Planning Expertise
Taking the time and effort to create an estate plan is one of the most thoughtful steps you can take for your family and loved ones.  For many families, the less decisions that are left for your heirs, the better it is for all concerned.  Attending to the above issues can be a major step in heading off conflicts.

At Mortensen & Reinheimer, PC we have decades of experience in helping clients to navigate through myriad issues in estate planning.  If you need legal expertise in addressing your specific estate planning needs, please contact Mortensen & Reinheimer, PC at (714) 384-6053 to make an appointment, or use our online contact form.  Our website is http://www.ocestateplanning.net.

Tamsen-Reinheimer_150x100

About the author:
Tamsen R. Reinheimer, Attorney, is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law (The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization). She has significant experience in all aspects of estate planning, trust administration, and probate. Contact Tamsen at tamsen@ocestateplanning.net.v