Megan Garner recently joined us as an associate of the firm. Megan adds a new layer of financial experience to the concierge legal services our clients have come to expect from us.
Our continued expansion allows to SLP offer significant legal coverage to the entire region as we continue to forge a new approach to legal services.… Read More
The back-to-school special and the property tax blog post are part of our law for everyone initiative.
It’s that time of year when property owners look towards paying that tax bill. Your property tax bill includes payments for various things, other than property tax. In addition to property tax, the bill includes charges for voter-approved taxes and direct charges from taxing agencies. These charges are all specifically identified on one’s bill for property taxes.
A little-known fact is that these additional amounts sometimes will include various exemptions. The most common is for senior citizens, defined as age sixty-five (65) or … Read More
Parents of college-bound children need to have critical legal documents in place before their kids leave the nest. These legal considerations, like having kids in the first place, are a package deal. Don’t make the mistake of being unprepared in the face of a situation that could affect your child’s health and well-being.
Even though your child is legally considered to be an adult, there may be times when you will want to step in to help. You will not be able to do so unless you have the … Read More
As our world becomes increasingly digitized, when we die, we leave an expansive digital footprint. For many, this footprint includes assets, intellectual property and other information such as copyrights, photos, pictures, messages, digital currenc(ies), passwords and more. An ever increasing question is who has access to these things after we leave the planet.
In this situation as in many others, the law often lags behind the issues of the day. This leaves individuals, including estate planners and professional fiduciaries with the question of how to counsel clients as to assets both now and in the future. Presently, the California Probate … Read More
We are proud and pleased to announce that our longtime partner Thomas Haeuser (retired) took on a new role at the firm in the new year. Effective January 1, 2022, Tom continues to serve in an advisory capacity, taking a step back from active practice to focus on community activities. Those around town already know Tom for his presence on the Plaza and his unflagging efforts to make our town and the surrounding community a special place for businesses and families to thrive across multiple generations.
Everyone Needs a Good Succession Plan
Tom’s transition, already several years in the planning, … Read More
A Time for Gratitude
As we pause to embrace a national holiday to give thanks, we want to express our gratitude for all of our wonderful, creative, smart, and hard-working clients. Your dreams of family and legacy are inspirational. Thank you for entrusting them to us.
Exciting News
For quite some time now, Thomas Haeuser, Anthony Valluzzo, and Mary Piasta, known throughout Sonoma county as Sonoma Law Partners PC (SLP), have provided the
legal guidance you need to chart a steady course through life’s complexities and help you and your families grow and succeed.
SLP will always provide the legal … Read More
Taking a quick look back, long-time partner Thomas Haeuser (retired) put our own succession plan into action. He switched from the day-to-day practice of law to a more strategic role which allows him to guide SLP and local community efforts too, including serving on the boards of FISH and the Sonoma Library Commission. We bid farewell to Robert Parmelee, the third successor
in our trifecta of founders. We enhanced the lives of local youth through our support of the Sonoma Valley Little League and the Sonoma Conservatory of Dance & Theatre. Our office expanded to include more paralegal and administrative … Read More
Here are some of the ideas we’re working on to enhance our legal counsel for the families and small businesses upon which Sonoma is based, and for those among us who need our help.
1. TechForward Sonoma—stay tuned for video featuring an online Sonoma History
Tour
2. CarePartners Initiative—elevating elder care and support
3. Sonoma History and Local Artist Retrospective—open-door office visits for a glimpse of Sonoma history past and present coming soon
4. Celebrate Diversity—collaborating with community members to highlight different cultures and ways of life, starting with Ana Escobar’s family recipe below.
Cumulatively, these ideas forge a new … Read More
As a practice serving the legacies of families and their businesses, numerous tools need to be at-the-ready to fit the situation. When it comes to an intimate family business owned by two individuals, there is a particular corporate structure that may be considered: the Close Corporation.
Many think of them as a partnership dressed as a corporation. A close corporation refers to a corporation under Corporations Codes Section 158 and 300(b). In general, this type of corporation involves situations with few shareholders. It is ideal for situations where the owners prefer flexibility, preferring to streamline the usual formalities of … Read More
Five Common Legal Issues Caregivers May Face
In her upcoming keynote address at the CarePartners Initiative Forum on May 6, 2023, SLP partner Mary Piasta combines her estate planning experience with a passion for protecting what matters most to provide a comprehensive overview of the most common legal issues that caregivers caring for older adults with dementia need to consider:
Caregivers traverse an unknown terrain of new responsibilities. Come learn how foundational legal documents … Read More