Blog

Red Flags for Lack of Capacity It is unfortunate that as we get older, our mental abilities decline. Some people decline to the point that they can no longer take care of themselves or manage their finances. When a person’s cognitive ability declines to the point that...

When people contact me for help with copyrights or trademarks, they are often confused or mistaken about which area of law their issue falls under. For example, someone will ask me about copyrighting their company name or book title (that’s trademark law), or...

Most of us who have lived in California know that California is a community property state. But what does that mean, and how does that affect estate planning for California residents? Here’s how it works: when you are single, everything you own and earn is your...

Did you know there is a new venue for copyright small claims coming soon? When I first put this article on my blog schedule, the Copyright Claims Board was supposed to be up and running on January 1, 2022. Unfortunately, the Copyright Office has pushed back the launch...

Happy holidays! I hope each of you finds time to enjoy this season of good cheer. One way I find joy is in writing. Combining my passion for words and the law to share helpful information about copyright, trademark, and estate planning is a gift I love to give. Let's...

The holidays are coming up, and it’s not uncommon for family members to ask questions about a relative’s estate plan over apple pie – or for the relative to bring up their estate plan as a conversation point. Generally, discussing your estate plan with your family is...

When it comes to intellectual property law, the most frequently asked question is what’s the difference between copyrights, trademarks, and patents? So let me explain what each of these concepts means and what each protects. To start with the basics, “intellectual...

Will Buying a House Change My Estate Plan? Buying a house for the first time is a significant step for most people. It’s also a big reason to have an estate plan in California. Probate is required if the decedent (i.e., deceased person) owned real property worth more...

Unfortunately, copyright infringement is rampant in the Age of the Internet. It is so easy to copy a photo or share a song or e-book, many people don’t even realize that what they’re doing is infringement. And then you also have the person who is deliberately and...