By 2008, as the economy took a turn for the worse due to Wall Street over-indulgences in the "boom or bust" cycle in housing - housing viewed as a luxury not as a necessity, I passed the Washington State Bar exam and was finally "done" with my education and legal industry created processes. Bar News magazine of the Washington State Bar Association had feature articles about seasoned attorneys, in their 50s and early 60s who had lost their jobs in law firms due to that recession. I wasn't sure what I would do or how a newbie knowing no one in the legal profession would find a job in that kind of job market. I thought a lot about it and I decided to focus my attention on what are areas of "unmet" needs. These are the needs of the public that are unaddressed because of an often callous, over-calcified industry. I did the research.
Less than 10% of all American adults have written estate plans, or a Trust. This is a problem that most certainly arises because of the expense of hiring an attorney. It is simply an expense that average people can't easily afford. The vast majority then are going through life without important knowledge and education in how the law treats heirs and beneficiaries when a person dies without having a plan. Then there is the lack of legal education generally about what the law is, and how it applies in any and all endeavors we do in our daily lives, from business activities to a simple statement that can be construed as an agreement to do something, or not do something. The snafus are everywhere. Reading and understanding the fine print of home owner's insurance policies is imperative.
I created my two initial legal Guides. One in Estate Planning and one to assist tribes and their members on the American Indian Probate Reform Act, involving Trust and Restricted designated Indian lands. These are available for purchase on this website and at Smashwords (e-reader) outlets. Look for them under my name.
Come along, and I promise to provide a variety of topics ranging from law & policy, to environmental updates and water management related concerns.
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