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Estate Planning for Cognitive Decline
Aging brings many challenges with it. As people age, they are often more isolated and increasingly susceptible to negative influences and scams. This is also a time when there is an increase of cognitive decline from dementia, Alzheimer's or other causes. Current studies show the average life expectancy for someone diagnosed with Alzheimer's is eight to 10 years, but living for as long as 15 or 20 years after diagnosis is not unusual.
Contrary to a popular misconception, a person diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's can still create an estate plan. They just need to be able to express their own wishes and desires about who they want to put in charge and what to do with their property. In fact, the sooner they are able to get their estate plan in order, the better.
Many people focus on trusts and wills when discussing estate planning. Although these documents are important for dealing with an estate after death, incapacity documents play a greater role while the person is living. Incapacity documents, such as powers of attorney, advanced healthcare directives and HIPAA authorizations, allow a chosen agent to act to take care of someone's personal, financial and medical needs without involvement from the courts.
Until we are able to cure dementia, Alzheimer's and other forms of cognitive decline, an estate plan that provides protection during incapacity is a must, particularly for our aging seniors.
Law Attorney Michael Yeager 471-2177

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Child Support can make Parents Act like Kids
by Denise Lite
"I paid child support and all my ex did was get their hair done with the money." "That money's for the kids, but I see my ex driving a new car." "Why am I paying child support at all? Doesn't look like my ex needs it."
"These kids are expensive - they need to pay up." "My ex is taking work off the books so that they don't have to pay for child support." "If they can't make the payments, they can't see the kids - it's that simple!"
I hear all of those comments - and a lot more I could never put in print - in family court. Few topics are as contentious as support payments; it's easy for both sides to have very strong feelings - and money can make people do and say some illogical things.
When emotions run high, it's important to let evidence and data speak for themselves. If you're not using court-ordered software for monetary exchanges, keep receipts, checks and screenshots. Track all the spending directly and indirectly done for the kids and track your household income, too. All that information may be taken into consideration by the court.
But if you already have a support agreement with the court and it seems on par with state calculations and averages, the best path forward might be acceptance... even if you're really disappointed with the judge's order.
Even if you're quite displeased, never talk poorly to your child about the support arrangement - it's none of their business; it can cause major conflicts between them and their other parent; and it can look very badly on you in the eyes of the judge.
Of course, if support payments are consistently late, resulting in significant negative impact to your kids; if you feel child support funds are being erroneously misused to the pain or detriment of your children; or if you believe the amount of support is either exceptionally excessive or remarkably insufficient, it may be time for another court date.
Denise Lite, Esq. 877-317-8080

Kathy Watterson Team Hosts "Fiesta" to Celebrate the Brand's Loyal Community
Not every realtor has hundreds of brand champions who are eager to refer their favorite home buying and selling expert - but after 34 years in business, The Kathy Watterson Team has so many, they needed to host a party to thank them all! Guests sipped on cucumber-jalapeno and fruit-flavored margaritas while noshing on Mexican food and playing cornhole, giant Jenga and golf. The piano bar kept toes tapping while the selfie photo booth and cookie station added a sweet element to the well-attended event. It was so much fun, they're already planning the next one!
Sponsors of the event included Melissa Diaz of Stunningly Staged Homes; Michael Geis of Loan Depot; Dean Novotny of Crescenta Valley Roofing; Gregg Goodman of Farmers Insurance; and Janelle Koester of Wells Fargo Advisors.
The Kathy Watterson Team of RE/MAX Santa Clarita 510-0321

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Spring Green could Mean Summer Smoke
This spring's overgrowth of natural grasses and native flowers was stunning to see - but now that temperatures are rising and organic materials are drying, there's concern that all that beauty could turn into fire fuel later this
year. Protect your business and home by clearing any brush and overhanging trees around your property perimeter. If the worst does happen, reach out to your local restoration pros for smoke and fire repair that can get you back to business fast.
Paul Davis Restoration of Santa Clarita 310-0884

Valencia Acura

Acceleration You can Feel, Performance You can Trust
"Precision Crafted Performance is the future of this brand, but it's not a destination. It's a mindset and a commitment to doing new and challenging things based on our own unique ideas for our customers," says Jon Ikeda, vice president and brand officer with Acura. Whether it's sweeping an all-Acura front row in the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach qualifying rounds this past spring or navigating around town or on the road in day-to-day life, Acura vehicles pack performance at every turn. From the turbocharged Integra named the 2023 North American Car of the Year to Acura's MDX, America's all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV, it's easy to see why Valencia Acura customers return again and again. Did you know? The 2023 Acura MDX, RDX and TLX were recently named Consumer Guide Best Buys for their exceptional performance, features, accommodations, fuel efficiency, resale value and price. This achievement marks the ninth consecutive year for Acura's RDX in the premium compact crossover category and Acura's TLX in the premium midsize car category. In the premium midsize crossover category, Acura's MDX has been named a Best Buy for the eighth time in nine years. That's quite a legacy!
Valencia Acura 255-3000