Happy Business Client
“We had a business matter which required expertise and expediency and we were given exceptional service. Thank you!!!” Read more about it here: Happy Business Client Testimony
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Merrill Resigns from Sullivan Law
Moved on from Sullivan Law As of July 11, 2023, Merrill A. Hanson, Esq. resigned from Sullivan Law. This was an elective decision by Merrill to live a better life and return to self-employment. He continues to do estate planning and select probate and trust administration matters. Notices are being sent out in waves throughout…
Apply To Be Civil Grand Juror
Make A Difference In Your Community If you live in Los Angeles County (and have for at least one year), and are civic-minded, then consider applying to be one of 23 citizens to be selected and trained to investigate the county, city and joint-powers agencies during a one-year tenure of Civil Grand Jury service. The…
Emergency Estate Plans Available Now
Yes, We’re Open In the wake of the pandemic and social distancing, people are concerned about whether they can still obtain an Advance Health Care Directive, Power of Attorney, Will and/or Trust. The answer is yes! Law firms are “essential” businesses, and we are able to serve our community electronically and telephonically worldwide for California…
Merrill A. Hanson Passes Nevada Bar Exam – Sworn In
On May 8, 2019, results were published by the Nevada State Bar. Merrill A. Hanson was listed as having a passing score. He was sworn in by a Notary Public (Caryn Haller) that same day. The Oath of Attorney to be filed with the Supreme Court of Nevada before 5:00PM today. Bar Results Publication: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-oO_onRjBZUMGt7s6o01fvyOSzMtvRq5/view I…
Law Office Newsletter – February 2019
***PLANNED OFFICE CLOSURE: FEB 20 – MAR 6*** We are pleased to provide you some exciting updates happening around the firm. In this issue: Nevada Legal License Expected May 2019 Legal Practice in the Modern World Success at the Firing Range 2019: Major Changes to California Employment Laws View Original Publication (PDF): NV Newsletter February 2019…
Adulting: Step 1
An estate planning client once expressed to me with excitement, and upon completion of their estate planning consultation, that there was a great sense of accomplishment and relief in having engaged in such serious “adulting,” and to have answered some of life’s more challenging questions. What is Adulting? It’s true, estate planning is a major…
Law Office Newsletter – August 2018
We are pleased to provide you some exciting updates happening around the firm… NV Newsletter August 2018 Firearms Training: September 22 Leaving a gun in your will? Does your executor and beneficiary know what to do? Here’s your chance to bestow some wisdom with a certified instructor. Handgun Safety Course. Sept. 22, 2018, 8AM, Lytle…
College Bound Student Checklist, A Suggestion
Brand new adults should get an Advance Health Care Directive and a Durable Power of Attorney for Finances before they are sent off for college. These two documents work together to protect a parent’s ability to access their young adult’s life should their child become incapacitated – when they need it most. In the absence…
Firearms Training (September 22, 2018)
Register now: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/gunshotsacademy/items/34455/availability/164122036/book/ Love them or hate them, everyone should learn how to handle a firearm – or at least how to disarm one. Join us for a law office exclusive training course. Here are the details: September 22, 2018 8AM-12PM $100 per person, plus online registration fee Please bring 50 rounds of ammunition for your…
Real Estate & Trust Information Session (July 30, 2018)
Learn about living trusts, real estate, probate and more. Here’s the details: July 30, 2018 10:00 AM 2501 E. Cortez St., West Covina, CA 91791 No charge, and no RSVP required, but space is limited. Special Offer for Estate Plan Reviews Free Refreshments We’ve always said, They don’t teach you about death and taxes in…
Firearm Inheritance Issues
California law requires that before anyone “acquires” a firearm, they must first obtain a Firearm Safety Certificate. It is part of the California Penal Code section 26840, which means the failure to follow the rule here means you are breaking the law; starting at a misdemeanor. In any event, it’s simply good practice for every…
Law Office Newsletter – July 2018
We are pleased to provide you some exciting updates happening around the firm… NV Newsletter July 2018 Nevada license expected Summer 2019 Yes, We’re Open! A frequent question on everyone’s mind is, “what’s the deal with a move to Nevada?” Well, it’s happening August 15 – but don’t fret, we’re still here practicing California law…
Estate Planning Consultation Preparation
Getting Started Congratulations! You are now one of the responsible individuals who have decided it’s time to prepare ahead. We do custom estate planning to help individuals like you design their future the way they like. Our motto is “Your Life. Your Legacy.” It’s time to do some Estate Planning Consultation Preparation. To get started, you’re…
What is intestate succession?
Intestate succession refers to the scenario when a person dies and leaves no will, no trust, no instrument or written instructions whatsoever to dictate what will happen to the person or their things once they are gone. Under those conditions, state law will determine where that persons things will go. No, the state does not…
Guardianship vs. Conservatorship
Many people do not know the difference between a guardianship and a conservatorship until they need one. The primary difference between the two is the age of the person that is the subject of the proceedings. For example, a person would need to pursue a guardianship if the person that is the subject of the…
Important Announcement About Law Office of Merrill A. Hanson, APC
I am pleased to announce that the Law Office of Merrill A. Hanson, APC is broadening its service offerings and capacity to serve clients through a strategic interstate association with Sullivan Law, a law firm near Lake Tahoe, in Minden, Nevada. The new alliance will permit existing and new clients to access legal representation in…
White Heterosexual Males & Mass Shootings
This is a bitter topic. Is the media’s portrayal of white heterosexual males as having some sort of a “triple privilege” actually contributing to acts of mass gun violence? There is no legally enforceable advantage to being a white heterosexual male. I read an article recently on a website “vice.com,” that noted that it was…
January Checklist
January Checklist: Start your New Year’s Resolution and get your affairs in order. Now is a great time to get your business and personal affairs in order. 2018 is a good year to incorporate your business, set up your living trust, amend any legal documents, and get things in line for the future. There are…
New Year. New Tax Plan. Same Estate Plan?
The year 2018 brings some changes to the law which may affect your estate plan – likely for the better for most individuals. Regardless of your opinion of the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” [the “Act”] it is now law, and your situation must be assessed in light of the changes made for purposes of…
Wells Fargo $142M Class Action Settlement
Today Wells Fargo Bank gave notification to account holders that they have reached a $142 million class action settlement related to the unauthorized opening of bank accounts. If you are banking or have been banking with Wells Fargo, you must take action to recover from Wells Fargo’s efforts to make things right (details at bottom…
What is Christian Estate Planning?
Christian Estate Planning While the ultimate goal is the same for all estate planners (who gets what, and how), a Christian approaches the estate planning process from a unique perspective. A Christian recognizes that their assets have been entrusted to them by God, and they desire to please God with their stewardship of these assets…
New Year, New Estate Plan
Estate Planning Is A Responsible New Year’s Resolution The New Year is a time for reflection, and such introspection usually leads to making decisions to live life better, to pursue new goals, and to renew commitment to old goals. This year, consider adding estate planning to your list of resolutions. Why estate planning? It’s about responsibility. Estate…
Public Service Announcement: Increase in Notary Fees
Price Hike Coming If you are a notary, you may be setting up for a 50% raise next year. Effective January 1, 2017, the maximum fee a Notary Public may charge will be $15 for Acknowledgments and Jurats. The maximum price for most notary services for the remainder of 2016 is still $10. That’s an…
Public Service Announcement: No Online Notaries
Online notarization is not legal. That’s right, there really are no online notaries in California (legally). Do not be fooled by what you may see advertised online, you cannot have a California notarization completed online, via webcam, etc. At least as of the date of this publication, online notarization is not permissible and a California…
Trump May “Repeal” Death Taxes
Is there tax reform in the pipeline? President-elect Donald Trump promised during his campaign that he would repeal the death taxes, as in change the laws around what people must pay out of their estates when they pass away. Specifically, candidate Trump promised to repeal the death taxes. Right now, on the Federal level, the…
Law Office Supports Bryan Clay 5K Run
Law Office of Merrill A. Hanson was proud to support the Bryan Clay “Fit 4 Fall” 5K. The foundation, run by Bryan Clay, the American decathlete, and winner of the 2008 Summer Olympics (decathlon), and World Champion in 2005, gives away thousands of dollars to support local schools in Glendora. This year’s winner was La…
Avoid the LegalZoom Vending Machine
LegalZoom : Vending Machine :: Law Firm : Restaurant Sometimes you just want a quick snack or beverage, and some junk food from a vending machine is your only convenient option. It’s understandable. This is why there are so many public vending machines. It does not matter how sophisticated they get, whether they heat food,…
Digital Asset Succession Planning
You may have experienced this. You are checking-in on Facebook when you spot a brand new post from a person that makes you wonder… didn’t I attend their funeral last year? You decide to check it out, and yeah, they have passed on, but someone is still using their account. This is an example of…
Attorney is Top School Graduate
You want an attorney with an education from a top tier school. The University of Oxford earned the distinction of top university in the world. That’s a serious title. Merrill A. Hanson studied both (“read”) NAFTA/European Union Relations as well as Music Theory at the University of Oxford in 2005, and returned home with straight A’s. He attended both…
Protect Your Freedoms With VETO GUNMAGEDDON
This is a call to action, something I rarely do. For the sake of everyone’s freedoms, however, we should be vigilant. The Second Amendment protects your right to bear arms. This means you have a right to own and use firearms. The right to own firearms should necessarily mean you have the right to acquire…
What is the Second Amendment?
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” – 2nd Amendment What is the Second Amendment? This is a quote from the Bill of Rights of the United States of America. The Bill of Rights were…
Estate Planning, Marriage, Divorce, & Subsequent Marriages
Marriage is a wonderful thing (at least that’s my experience). Married couples can compile their wealth, raise children, and estate planning is a great first step to plan for the future, whether it’s a responsible young couple with new children, an elderly couple facing the uncertain future, or anything in between. When you get married,…
Conflict Resolution vs. Relational Restitution
Conflict, by its nature, is disruptive. Conflict usually interferes with enjoyment of life. One area that suffers most due to conflict is relationships. Knowing the differences between conflict resolution and relational restitution can help you understanding how litigation has a negative effect on some individuals iives. Conflict Resolution Conflict resolution is the process by which two parties with inconsistent…
How to get your children back – Termination of Guardianship
Except by death, adoption, emancipation, or when the child reaches the age of majority and petitions the court to do so, the only other way to put an end to a guardianship is by court order pursuant to CA Probate Code section 1601. The court may make an order terminating the guardianship only if the…
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Glendora
Celebrating over two years of legal services in downtown Glendora! On April 14, 2016, the Law Office of Merrill A. Hanson celebrated approximately two and a half years of good business and God’s blessings with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at their office in downtown Glendora through an event sponsored in part with the Glendora Chamber of Commerce.…
How Should I Spend My Tax Refund?
Consider Investing in a Living Trust An estate plan provides you and your family with peace of mind. When you plan on saving your refund in a general savings account these days, there are not a lot of options for earning interest. However, the peace of mind you can get with an estate plan may…
Congratulations University of La Verne College of Law on ABA Accreditation
On March 14, 2016, the University of La Verne College of Law earned full ABA Accreditation, For years the College has been either accredited by the state of California, or provisionally accredited by the ABA, but at last the ABA has affirmed what Southern Californians have know for years, the University of La Verne College of Law is a quality…
Parable of the Master Going on a Journey
When we talk about trust, we are really talking about stewardship. Recall the Parable of the Master Going on a Journey that Jesus taught us (Matthew 25:14-30). This Parable describes what stewardship means and how it works. We too have been entrusted, as stewards, with many things from our Heavenly Father, and we do not know…
Parable of the Prodigal Son
Will money be an obstacle for those you leave it to? Do they have the wisdom and maturity to handle the power your money provides, or will it destroy them and empower sin? The financial guru, Dave Ramsey, is credited for pointing out that money will magnify the person you already are. Of course, this…
Part III: What does the bible say about my estate?
The process of estate planning combines “remembrance” and “stewardship.” Stewardship really means management of another’s resources, like the Parable of the Master Going on a Journey (Matthew 25:14-30), discussed earlier, except God is not interested in our money, He already owns everything. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all…
Part II: What does the Bible say about nominating executors, trustees, agents, guardians, and attorneys-in-fact?
Who do you trust? Who can you entrust with your most precious possessions? Personal well-being? Family? A good estate plan will require the nomination of a representative to act on your behalf, and you will additionally be asked whether you want to list any alternates in case your first choice is unable to do the…
Part I: What does the Bible say about legacies and estate planning?
Your Life. Your You’re His Legacy. At the last supper of Jesus Christ, just before He was betrayed, Jesus surrounded Himself with His disciples and taught them a new tradition – what we call communion or the Eucharist. Jesus said to them, “[d]o this in remembrance of me.” Two key components to Biblical estate planning…
Christian Estate Planning Toolkit
Introduction to Christian Estate Planning Toolkit A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous. (Proverbs 13:22). The Bible discusses money often, and it should be no surprise that the Bible’s focuses on legacies. When you think about it, the entire New Testament memorializes…
Personal Inventory Tool: Circle of Influence
This personal inventory tool was developed to help individuals think through how the relationships in their life, and specifically how the circle of influence they have can identify what is most important to them for purposes of developing an estate plan. People in your circle of influence have contributed to the experience that you call…
Job Opening for Certified Paralegal
This position has been filled. Solo-practitioner looking to acquire a certified paralegal/administrative assistant to the growing law firm in downtown Glendora. Team member would ideally be interested in committing to long-term growth with the firm on a part-time to full-time basis. Firm practices in estate planning and administration, as well as general litigation in many…
Firearms: Inheritance Issues
Guns! Guns! Guns! They are a hot topic for debate. Do we need them? Should society tolerate their use? How do we protect ourselves effectively from the “crazy ones” with guns? The reality is that the right to bear arms is protected by the United States Constitution, and because of that, firearms make up a portion of inheritable estates…
Glendora Fit 4 Fall 5K 2015
Congratulations to all the participants in the Glendora Fit 4 Fall 5K this 2015! Check out pictures at the official website: http://www.fit4fall.com/ 2015 marked the first year that the Law Office of Merrill A. Hanson was a participant. We proudly supported out runners with hundreds of water bottles, hundreds of power bars, and a lot of…
On Prophecy
Yes, prophecy. Attorneys are often called upon to predict the future. That is one of the benefits of hiring legal counsel. They have been trained in the ways of “jurisprudence,” meaning, the study of the evolution of the living law (at both the state and federal level). Indeed, universities issue a doctorate in juris prudence…
Estate Planning Awareness Week 2015
Estate Planning Awareness Week October 19 – 25 Don’t Delay Your Planning The need for financial planning is obvious, so why do so few people do it? Here are a few reasons: Unorganized finances Lack of financial knowledge Not enough time Procrastination Lack of goals as a motivating force Five Steps Toward Successful Estate Planning 1. DEFINE YOUR GOALS:…
Last Will AND Testament
These days it seems like many people are more concerned about the legal ramifications of their will than to consider the other benefits it provides to a person’s legacy. What other benefits? Well, it’s called a last will and testament for a reason. It serves multiple purposes. The will portion is just that, your dying…
A Riddle
A riddle: Employees desire it; employers require it. Some sell it; others give it away for free – some interact with both, and still get nothing. The young are tired of it; the wise chase after it. When surrounded by those that have it, you kind of know it. What am I? The answer, as…
Legacy: Parable of the Talents
Many people like to comment in initial consultations at my question about the client’s estimate of the gross value of their estate. I always get something like: You’ve probably seen bigger numbers… I know it’s not much… I could have had more but… It’s still growing… I always have the same response for everyone. It’s not about how much you…
Go Out of Your Way
“I’m not going out of my way…” because (fill in the blank). Well, sometimes you should. For instance, when driving. Okay folks, it’s finally here, the “I’m frustrated with drivers” post. It should be titled “Get Out of My Way!” I promise to tie it all back to valuable insights suitable for a law office…
Spring Cleaning & Garage Sale Law
You see them every weekend: YARD SALE. Sometimes they are referred to by their other names too (attic sale, garbage sale, junk sale, lawn sale, moving sale, patio sale, rummage sale, tag sale, thrift sale). You’ve probably never known just what was involved with the exchange of a dollar bill for some treasure, at least legally. You may not have known you…
How To: Get It All Done
Have you ever been accused of procrastinating when you were simply delayed by sorting through the voluminous number of tasks for one day? Ever finish the day thinking you ran around in circles and ultimately didn’t accomplish what you wanted to? We’ve all been there at some point. How do you get it all done?…