Sandra has completed the mediation training required by the San Diego Probate Court for appointment to the court mediation panel. Many matters that come to the probate court are highly charged with emotion. These include will contests, trust contests, problems with management or protection of the assets of an elder, disagreements regarding where an elder person should live and who will care for them. They can completely demolish family relationships. Mediation of these matters can provide the opportunity for the family members to express their concerns and frustrations.
Mediation can usually save significant amounts of money in addition to preserving the family.
Tax Planning . Planning for maximum tax benefits and minimum tax payments is an important aspect of each of the above situations. For example, making a gift of an appreciated asset may create a significant income tax burden for the recipient. However, if the recipient inherited the appreciated asset, tax on the appreciation may be completely avoided. Sandra can assist you in evaluating the tax burdens and benefits of various estate planning and Medi-Cal planning options.