October 1, 2015

CALDA

update

SETTING THE STANDARD…EDUCATION, ETHICS, EXCELLENCE

issue or dispute acknowledged by a self- Message from Mandatory MCLE represented (pro per) constituent. As of January 1, 2016, Business & Professions The legal statutes and doctrine referenced in Code §6402.2 will dictate that an LDA shall these presentations are provided in attorney- the President complete 15 hours of continuing legal approved material form for educational & education courses during his or her two-year information purposes. This is done in order period. An LDA attempting to re-register will to train the practitioner in assisting his or her Dear CALDA Members: be required to attest to the fact that this constituent/pro per client with preparing the education has been completed. legal documents necessary to pursue the I am very happy to report that Governor constituent’s case. These resources are MCLE activity must relate to legal subjects. Brown has signed AB 285. The changes meant to be shared with constituent/client in The upcoming conference is designed to made by this bill will now be the law as of their decision-making process when provide legal access education in Family Law, January 1, evaluating their facts to the elements of law Probate, Wills & Trusts, Civil Law, Property & 2016. Thank necessary to form a basis for a legal issue. you to Legal Ethics relevant to Legal Document everyone who Assistants, , and members of the helped us to State Bar. make this The conference will also offer classes in how happen. I'd to conduct a business that provides equal like to extend access to justice for all constituents ANNUAL ELECTION an extra demonstrating significant current special thanks For Voting Members NOT professional and practical content. The to member attending the conference, please materials presented in these activities are Terri O'Connor fill out the proxy form posted on approved for MCLE credit and some classes for the special the CALDA website and return it represent content for required credit in legal dedication she showed to the "Special Ops" by October 2, 2015 to Marcel ethics, elimination of bias, and competency that presented this opportunity to us. Neumann. All instructions are on issues. These classes will be free from the proxy form and instruction interruption and are scheduled for over one Here is a link to the AB 285 Fact Sheet. sheet. It is very important to cast hour. CALDA will provide substantive written your vote by proxy if you are not materials relevant to MCLE activity. On-line We will have a discussion at the Conference planning to attend the conference content of this material will remain on our about the changes and improvements this as we need a quorum to have an public website for 30 days. bill makes to our governing statute, and also election. Please vote! Thank you. on CALDA's plans for the future. Please join us there and register for the LA Conference. GOALS OF THE PROGRAM Nominee Statements

Kind regards, The outline and purpose of all classwork is to Proposed Bylaw Changes train a Legal Document Assistant (LDA), Ian Duncan , attorney, or other non-attorney Proxy & Instructions advocate such as a Social Security Disability CALDA President Advocate to complete forms and to prepare documents relative to an established legal

CALDA UPDATE | Issue 4Q2015 2

2015 Annual October

Conference finances in order and how much to charge for your CALDA’s 2015 Annual Conference is nearly services. here. Sign up today at www.CALDA.org. Instructor: Carl Knoll, LDA

and Schedule of Events TRAINING 4: Introduction Friday, October 16, 2015 to LACE: Legal Access Education., CALDA’s 7:30 AM to 8:45 AM proposal to create a new paralegal school. This Continental Breakfast & Registration training will be presented directly after the previous class in the same For over 45 years Connie has been an 8:45 AM room. CALDA proposes to create a paralegal internationally known lecturer and academy to become a licensed, accredited, consumer/legislative advocate for children Welcome by CALDA President, Ian Duncan, traditional paralegal program offering and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. LDA paralegal education. CALDA’s goal is to Her work has involved testifying before educate the LDA workforce so LDAs may governmental bodies and lecturing at 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM independently and effectively provide clients universities and conferences. Years ago, she TRAINING 1: Civil Litigation 803: Filing and access to solutions to their legal problems. was the first autism representative in Responding to a Lawsuit. Completing judicial Increase the ranks of the LDA industry and when the Regional Center System council forms in filing and responding to a increase CALDA membership. This recognized autism as a developmental lawsuit with the focus on a breach of contract interactive class will consist of a presentation disability. case. with a question and answer period to follow. Harvey Lapin, DDS – Co-founder, Autism Instructor: Chris Stefan, Attorney at Law Presented by Susan Volpe, CALDA’s Society of Los Angeles (1.25 hours CLE) Curriculum Manager. Dr. Lapin has been a significant leader and Or strong advocate for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Disabilities for over TRAINING 2: Family Law 105: X Spouse FOR THE PUBLIC: Free Document 45 years. He has promoted disability Program/Child Support Services Guidelines Preparation Clinic on Completing awareness in lectures and publications and in Preparation of a Request for Order When Conservatorship Forms has authored and published articles. He has Child support became subject to being a served as president of The Autism Society of This is a free training for members of the computer program in the 1990’s, America, California’s Developmental public who need assistance completing Commissioner Vogl taught how to use the Disability Area Board, and Client Rights conservatorship forms, especially with Dissomaster to the Orange County Family Advocacy for Disability Rights of California. respect to Limited Conservatorships for Law lawyers in many sessions sponsored by persons with developmental disabilities. This the Orange County Bar Association Family 2:15 to 2:30 PM BREAK class will be facilitated by several LDAs who Law Section. This class will be on how to use are experienced at preparing 2:30 PM– 4:00 PM the similar X Spouse program and how to put conservatorships. in the information that will get the results TRAINING 5: Wills, Trusts and Other Estate most helpful to your clients. (MCLE/CLE = 1.5 for the Facilitators) Documents 705: Administering a Living Trust after the Death of the Settlor Learn the Instructor: Orange County Superior Court process that is involved when the Successor Commissioner, Richard Vogl (1.25 hours CLE) Trustee of a Living Trust must administer the 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM – LUNCH Living Trust after the death of the Settlor. 1:00 PM to 2:15 PM 10:15 AM to 10:30 AM BREAK Instructor: Michelle Wehrli, LDA (1.5 hours CLE) Keynote Address -- Connie Lapin and Dr. 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Combined Training Harvey Lapin, Founders, Autism Society of Or Los Angeles TRAINING 3 - How to Run Your Own LDA Business 901 Step by step from a home TRAINING 6: General Conservatorships 501: Connie Lapin – Co-founder, Autism Society Preparing a Petition for Appointment of office, virtual office or rental office, of Los Angeles advertising your business, to keeping your Probate Conservator When an adult can no longer care for his or her basic needs, he or CALDA UPDATE | Issue 4Q2015 3

she may need a court-appointed TRAINING 9 Family Law 111: Form while maintaining a thriving and helpful LDA conservator. Conservatorships are very form Preparation for a Petition to Establish a Practice intensive and procedural. Learn the form Parental Relationship Often parties who are preparation and procedure for a general not married have children and the purpose of Instructor: Kerry Spence, LDA (1.5 hours conservatorship. a Petition to Establish Parental Relationship CLE) is for the Court to make orders as to the Instructor: Ian Duncan, LDA (1.5 hours CLE) child’s legal parents. It is necessary to and establish parentage prior to one parent TRAINING 14 LDA Practice Demonstration requesting custody, visitation or support and discussion on LDA Practice orders. 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM Dinner and Annual Instructors: Ian Duncan, LDA and Associates General Meeting Instructors: Judge Mark Juhas and Judge Michael J. Convey, Los Angeles County Dinner Program: (1.5 hours CLE – Meets the requirement for Superior Court (1.5 hours CLE) Ethics) - Awards TRAINING 10: Deeds 202: Inter-spousal, - Future of our Profession – Outline of AB 285 Trust Transfer, and Other Special-Purpose ANNUAL CONFERENCE QUICK FACTS and Introduction to Saturday’s Discussion Deeds What makes a deed with specific title Class by Ian Duncan, CALDA President (such as inter-spousal or Trust Transfer Deed) Friday, October 16TH – Saturday, different from other types of deeds? This October 17th, 2015 - Elections class is a more intermediate to advanced- level class dealing with different types of LDA Centric Continuing Legal Education - Annual General Meeting deeds beyond your basic Grant Deed and will discuss finer points of transfer tax, Earn up to 10 hours CLE Schedule of Events reassessment, and exemptions and exclusions from transfer tax and Holiday Inn Los Angeles International Saturday, October 17, 2015 reassessment. Also a discussion on the Airport subject of capital gains tax, cost basis, 9901 S. La Cienega Blvd. 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM carryover basis and stepped-up basis. Los Angeles, California 94405 Continental Breakfast & Registration Instructor: Debra Burton, LDA (1.5 hours CLE) 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM (310) 649-5151

TRAINING 7: Limited Conservatorships 503: Member fee: $395.00 Preparing the Forms in a Limited 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM LUNCH Non-member fee: $450.00 Conservatorship Proceeding. Generally a person qualifies as developmentally disabled Register at www.calda.org if he or she has an IQ less than 70 or is diagnosed with autism. Other conditions can 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM qualify too. This class will discuss the form TRAINING 11: Wills, Trusts and Other Estate preparation and procedure for being Documents 704: Essentials of Funding Living Thank you to our Sponsors: appointed as the limited conservator of a Trusts and Preparing and Filing a Heggstad developmentally disabled person. Petition. Instructor: Galen Hammond, LDA Instructor: Helen Bellamy, LDA (1.25 hours (1.5 hours CLE) CLE) Or Or TRAINING 12: Notary Updates. Learn the TRAINING 8: Family Law 104: Stipulated updates that are involved with being a Judgments and Marital Settlement ; especially the new forms in Agreements. Parties can enter into an Loan Signing/ Real Estate documents. uncontested judgment by agreement Instructor: Laura Biewer, Certified Instructor whether or not the respondent has defaulted for the National Notary Association (1.5 or filed a response. Learn how to complete hours CLE) the required forms to prepare and file an uncontested judgment with agreement.

Instructor: Laura McGee, J. D. (1.25 hours 2:30 PM to 2:45 PM BREAK CLE) 2:45 PM – 4:15 PM Combined Training 10:15 AM to 10:30 AM BREAK TRAINING 13: Ethics LDA Ethics Overview: 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM Avoiding the Unauthorized

CALDA UPDATE | Issue 4Q2015 4

- Copy of a current Surety Bond ($100,000)(PDF) obtained from a MEMBERSHIP corporate surety (admitted to do How to be an business in California). - Completed Immigration Consultant Welcome New Members Immigration Disclosure (PDF) form. - Copy of a valid and current photo Brandy Adams Consultant identification. Acceptable forms of photo identification are: Dana L. Clark By Peter Phuong Luong 1. An identification card or Valerie Coleman driver's license issued by the California Department of Charlotte Collins I've been as an Immigration Consultant (IC) Motor Vehicles. for more than five years but I did not Gloria Echevarria 2. A passport issued by the carefully read the Business and Professions Department of State of the Michael Garcia Code regarding this issue. I just followed the United States. instruction from the executive office where Lance Surety Bond Associates, Inc. 3. An identification card issued enforce this code, which is the Secretary of by a state other than State. Christina Marquez California. Elizabeth Robinson Recently, because there has been a surge of 4. A driver's license issued by a state other than California. interest in being an IC, I decided that I should Monica Simmons review the Code and write an article for - 2" x 2" passport photo. CALDA’s quarterly newsletter. - $30.00 filing fee. Narinder Singh Braich Victoria Sotva Immigration Consultant professional is found in Business and Professions Code section Ann Spiratos A renewal or continuation of an immigration 22443.1 and below is the requirement of how consultant surety bond must be filed with the to be an Immigration Consultant: Antonette Thomas Secretary of State prior to the expiration of Roxann Villareal A prospective IC must obtain and post a the surety bond. If the renewal or $100,000 bond from a corporate surety that continuation is not filed with the Secretary of Melinda Williams is admitted to do business in California. The State prior to the expiration of the surety Jim Wilroy amount of bond was increased by double bond, the person covered by the bond may from July 1, 2014 which caused a lot of not engage in the business or act in the financial burden for those who wanted to capacity of an immigration consultant until continue or to start providing immigration he or she again has complied with all of the services to the public. qualification requirements, including the CALDA wishes to submission of a new surety bond, disclosure A prospective IC also has to submit an statement, and the passing of a background congratulate our Immigration Consultant Disclosure to the check. Surety bond continuation certificates three Conference Secretary of State, which basically just or similar documents purporting to renew provides them your information, address and surety bonds that are received after the Scholarship states you are not a criminal. A prospective expiration of the applicable surety bond will recipients: IC also has to have his/her background be returned unfiled. checked. One of the funny things about B&P Code Angela Angelovic After you have prepared all of the above section 22443.1 is that no education or requirements, submit them all along with the training is required for first registration or Robin E. Jones following documents to the Secretary of renewal of registration! State at the below address: Charlotte E. Collins

Secretary of State, Special Filings Unit P.O.Box 942870,

Sacramento, CA 94277-2870

CALDA UPDATE | Issue 4Q2015 5

roomm not liable for the debts of her husband and ates. were the earnings and accumulations of the Howeve wife. The 1870 Act did not contain a ‘Separation Date’ in r, the definition of the phrase “living separate and case apart.” The phrase “living separate and Dissolution of Marriage Cases was apart” had been considered ambiguous in the taken to past and has been used flexibly for many By Regina Van Hecke the Supreme Court, who disagreed with the years. For example, many couples could CALDA Legislative Chair lower courts. The court said that “living in previously consider themselves separated if separate residences is an indispensable they lived separate lives as single persons threshold requirement for a finding that regardless of whether or not they lived under Supreme Court Ruling spouses are living ‘separate and apart’ for the same roof. This new ruling does not Regarding ‘Separation Date’ in purposes” of dividing property.” easily allow for these types of common Dissolution of Marriage Cases situations if there is a dispute about the date This bright-line rule poses potential of separation. th challenges for couples who wish to remain in On July 20 , 2015, the California Supreme the same house for economic or family To possibly confuse matters more, the Court ruled that married couples going reasons. In today’s economy, many couples Supreme Court left open the question as to through a divorce are not considered are choosing to continue living under one whether parties could be living in separate separated for the purpose of dividing assets roof as roommates in order to save money residences even if they are still living under and debts until one spouse physically moves and/or to keep the family together for a time “the same roof”. This might be referring to out of the shared home. This unanimous while transitioning into separate households. situations where a partition or some sort of ruling reinforces a “bright-line rule,” which Lila Duchrow, Sheryl Davis’ attorney in the divider establishes two homes from what makes the establishment of individual was once one. Justice Goodwin Liu wrote residences the minimum requirement for the that there could be circumstances in which a legal definition of when a couple is separated divorced couple could live under the same and income and property are no longer roof and be considered “separate and living shared. (A bright-line rule is a clearly “A bright-line rule apart.” “The spouses must have a living defined rule or standard, composed of arrangement that clearly and objectively objective factors, which leaves little or no ... promotes fairness signals a complete and final termination of room for varying interpretation. The purpose the marital relationship,” he wrote. “Neither of a bright-line rule is to produce predictable by providing a the Legislature nor this court has foreclosed and consistent results in its application.) “A the possibility that such a living situation bright-line rule ... promotes fairness by measure of may occur within a single dwelling.” providing a measure of predictability to the predictability to the parties and their attorney, as well as clear This new ruling means that for many guidance to judges,” Chief Justice Tani parties and their individuals who now wish to file a Petition to Cantil-Sakauye wrote. “It reduces the open a divorce case, the listed ‘Date of potential for manipulation of a more elastic attorney, as well as Separation’ may need to be left unknown or standard by the higher earner in situations of clear guidance to “to be determined” if they are still living in significant income disparity.” the same home as his or her spouse. This rule has not been in place long enough for us This ruling was brought about by a case that judges,” to see the possible outcomes for couples involved a Sheryl and Xavier Davis, a Castro living in the same home who wish to finalize Valley couple, who were disputing over a divorce case. spousal support in their divorce case. Sheryl case, told the court that “a typical spouse in Davis claimed she and her husband, Xavier Obviously, if these couples can agree on a California, for example, may face further Davis, formally separated in 2006, when she date to use for this “date of separation” then financial difficulties by being required to declared the marriage over and they began it would be a nonissue for their case. Given move out of the marital residence as a living mostly separate lives. Though they that most LDA’s are helping clients who are prerequisite to establishing the date of drove separately to their children’s events, seeking to resolve their divorce cases outside separation rather than intentionally and took separate vacations, and had divided all of court, this new ruling does not seem likely meaningfully living as roommates at the of their finances, they still continued to live to prompt any big changes in the way most same residence.” under the same roof. Xavier, on the other LDA’s have been helping clients fill out hand, argued that their separation began in This ruling was made after careful Petitions for Dissolutions of Marriage. Given 2011, on the day that Sheryl physically this new definition, we may see more clients moved out of their home. consideration of the history of California’s statutory community property scheme as choose to use ‘TBD’ (to be determined) as an initial answer for the ‘Date of Separation’ Initially, a Superior Court judge and the First defined in Section 771(a). The language in section of a Petition for Dissolution of District Court of Appeal in San Francisco the statute originates from a predecessor Marriage until both spouses can agree on a agreed with Sheryl Davis and her request statute that was enacted 145 years ago in mutual date. that the date of separation be based on a 1870 to protect ‘the rights of married women in certain cases.’ The 1870 Act provided that 2006 date that reflected a time when the couple had separated finances and no longer the earnings of the wife, ‘while living lived as a married couple, but rather as separately and apart from her husband’ were CALDA UPDATE | Issue 4Q2015 6

CHAPTER NEWS – OUR LOCAL CHAPTERS ARE GROWING! ucationIn Forthe LDAs Spotlight: CALDA Presents Its 2015 Summer Seminar Central Valley Chapter (cont.) Series hosted by the CALDA-LA/Orange ChapterCALDA’ Fee includes continentals Bay breakfast buffet, boxed lunch and handouts. 10-22-2015 – Exparte Custody Requests – Terri McCracken, Attorney = 1 unit MCLE ScheduleArea of Events Chapter 11-19-2015 – Sharing of information from CALDA’s Registration 8:00 a.m. annual conference = 1 unit MCLE Helen M. Bellamy taught at Morning Schedule 12-17-2015 – Holiday Get-Together the Bay Area Chapter’s August 9:00meeting. AM to 10:30 The AM topic was "Small Estate Probate - Transferring Document Preparation for a Trust-Based Bay Area Chapter EstatePersonal Plan (1.5 and hours RealCLE) Instructor: Property Galen The next Bay Area Chapter meeting will be Hammond,Under $150,000”. LDA November 19, 2015 at noon. We will be sharing resources. We will meet in the conference room at 10:45 AM to 12:15 PM the Southland Square Building at 24301 Southland Drive in Hayward. The date is always the 3rd The Pros & Cons of Filing an Ex Parte Motion Thursday of each month, except at the December (1.5 hours CLE) Instructor Cathy Cowan, JD, meeting. LDA North Bay Chapter Upcoming topics for the North Bay Chapter are:

o October 13, 2015 "Estate Planning" Judy 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM Lunch Reyes o November 10, 2015 "Technology and 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM Software for LDAs" Judy Reyes o December 8, 2015 Christmas Holiday Meeting the Requirements of Family Code § Gathering 4320: Spousal Support (1.5 hours CLE) We will meet in the Solano Community Foundation Conference Room located at 470 Chadbourne Road Instructor Judge Mark A. Juhas Suite D, Fairfield, CA 94534. The date is always the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 12:00 to 1:30pm. 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM Central Coast Chapter CALDA's Central Coast Chapter will meet on Petitioning for Appointment of a Probate November 18, 2015 at Family Legal Document Conservator (1.5 hours CLE) Instructor Ana Services and the topic will be Estate Planning. The Maria Jimenez, LDA Chapter meets the third Wednesday of the month. Our meeting location varies, please contact Chapter president, Tyler Gross at [email protected].

Los Angeles/Orange Chapter The next Judge Juhas meeting will be held on November 20, 2015. The meetings are every 3rd Friday (unless noted otherwise), 111 North Hill Street, DEPARTMENT 64, Los Angeles, 90012. The Los Angeles/Orange Chapter meetings are held immediately after the Judge Juhas meetings on the 9th Floor Cafeteria of the courthouse. Please email Lois Isenberg at Check out the next Chapter Central Valley Chapter [email protected] with your RSVPs (registration is a The Central Valley Chapter meets on the third must - 25 attendee limit). Meeting near you. You will Thursday of the month (October revised due to

learn something new while conference). We will be meeting at the Yosemite Falls Café, 5123 N. Blackstone Avenue, Fresno,

building relationships within CA 93710

our profession. CALDA UPDATE | Issue 4Q2015 7

estate. While a revocable living trust is far What are the more comprehensive in terms of beneficiary Revocable Transfer of disadvantages of using designations, and covers multiple categories of assets, an RTDD would only affect the real a RTDD? Death Deed (RTDD) property covered in that deed. Some people may prefer the simplicity of an RTDD and Unfortunately, an RTDD does not Will combination, especially if the only major By Regina Van Hecke allow for a beneficiary’s share of asset is that person’s home. However, it CALDA Legislative Chair a home to be distributed to his or her “issue” is very important that clients fully

if a named beneficiary pre-deceases the understand the pros and cons of both an grantor. An RTDD may have multiple RTDD and living trust, and I would strongly Assembly Bill 139 has been beneficiaries, who take in equal shares as encourage an attorney referral for legal signed by the Governor and tenants in common, but does not provide for advice if a client asks for an RTDD. Generally will take effect January 1, alternate beneficiaries. In other words, if a speaking, living trusts offer a lot more beneficiary pre-deceases the grantor and the 2016. flexibility for the client, and there is a lot RTDD is not updated before the grantor more published legal information on them.”

passes away, then the named beneficiary’s This bill amends Family and Probate codes to estate or children do not receive any portion include a ‘Revocable Transfer on Death Deed’ of the deceased beneficiary’s share, as is How might LDA’s incorporate (RTDD) as a method of transferring title of otherwise common in estate planning. The real property to named beneficiaries. The use deceased beneficiary’s share is subsequently an RTDD into the estate of this type of deed may be beneficial for divided amongst any other then-living planning options that are certain people, but it also has its drawbacks. beneficiaries named on the RTDD. This may offered to clients?

not pose a problem for a person, who, for How does this deed work? example, may want to create an RTDD that As suggested, LDA’s could offer a simple grants ownership of a home to multiple Will/RTDD package for clients who may not A Revocable Transfer on Death Deed (RTDD) children and does not wish for a beneficiary’s otherwise choose to create a living trust. can be executed by people who wish to share to go to his or her “issue” if a However, it is extremely important that transfer title of ownership for real property beneficiary pre-deceases the grantor. clients clearly understand the differences, upon death. This new RTDD would However, in my research for this story, I have pros, and cons of each of these estate effectively name a “transfer on death” found that most clients who do wills and planning documents. Clients need to be beneficiary who would be able to easily trusts do not usually exclude their aware of their options and make an educated obtain title after the grantor’s death. This grandchildren as alternate beneficiaries in decision based on their specific needs. document works similarly to “payable on the fashion that this new instrument will death” beneficiaries named on financial require. accounts. Until this bill was passed, no such Other issues arising from the lack of deed allowing a person to name a beneficiary alternate beneficiaries include that, when a for real property has existed. An RTDD grantor only has one child and that child creates a new option for people who wish to predeceases the grantor, then this type of designate beneficiaries for their home before deed will create a problem and probate will CONNECT WITH CALDA they die, but to be effective after they die. be necessary because at that point there are no other named recipients. Furthermore, an What are the advantages of RTDD does not allow for class gifts (ex. CALDA is on Facebook using a RTDD deed? unnamed grandchildren) as wills and trusts do.

Something to also note is that a property For people who are looking for a very simple subject to an RTDD is still considered part of solution to passing title/ownership upon a transferor’s estate for purposes of Medi-Cal death, this deed may be a viable option. eligibility and will be subject to Medi-Cal Though it has its drawbacks, this deed may Just click on the link above to join us on reimbursement claims. be appropriate for a person who cannot Facebook.

afford to create a revocable living trust and

who wishes to name a beneficiary for a home in a document other than a will. If an RTDD is Revocable Transfer on Death created, the transfer on death beneficiaries Deed (RTDD) vs. Trust Transfer can avoid probate for this transfer, regardless Deed (Living Trust)?

of the property’s value. This creates a much simpler process for anyone seeking to spare Galen Hammond, a long-time CALDA their beneficiaries the probate process. The member and LDA who offers estate planning RTDD is also a much safer option than document preparation services to both creating a joint tenancy and sharing attorneys and self-represented individuals, ownership during the lifetime of the grantor states that “an RTDD (in combination with a because the grantor retains full ownership of Will) could be appropriate for individuals who the home until he or she dies. do not wish to create a living trust for their CALDA UPDATE | Issue 4Q2015 8

I'll look forward to seeing you at the Los Angeles Conference, where we will continue ELECTIONS our work together. Board of Kind regards, Ian Duncan Directors Officer CALDA President

Candidate Candidate Carol Ludlow - Treasurer Statements Statements Why do I want to continue serving as CALDA’s Treasurer? Because it is not just a part-time job, that I am totally committed to Tyler Gross - Director Ian Duncan - President but a labor of love; it is my way of giving back to this wonderful Association, that has given Dear CALDA Members: I believe that I would be a good candidate to me so much throughout the years. I thank all be reelected as the public relations chair due of its amazing members, many of whom I would be honored to have the privilege of to the fact of my availability, knowledge, the have become very dear friends, for allowing being reelected as your President. In the last work that I have already done and that I have me to serve as Treasurer for as long as I two years, we have made tremendous a degree why an emphasis in Public have. I do serve at the pleasure of the progress together in many areas, and we Relations. This position comes with membership and I will continue to serve this must continue our work. numerous responsibilities. Availability, association as long as my services are organization, punctuation, and computer required. Members, we are on the right track now, but literacy. there is more work to do. You and I started A person must be available and being an this term together by creating of the owner of my own company gives me CALDA's Curriculum, which dramatically flexibility to alter my schedule as needed. raised the quality of our cherished Galen Hammond - Treasurer or Organization is top key to any profitable organization. I set calendars and schedules education. Together we lifted the stature of Director our organization because we discovered that to make sure that I followed through no one was better suited to deliver that and nothing gets forgotten. I am running for the position of Treasurer / education than ourselves -- Legal Document Punctuation, being on time for deadlines and Chief Financial Officer for CALDA because I Assistants. Gone are the days when we look meetings is an important quality for a wish to my part in helping CALDA, and our up to lawyers as the main providers of our business characteristic. Expresses profession, continue to grow in the 21st education as if somehow they know our work dependability and responsibility. century. better than we do. If nothing else, I hope Computer literacy, is essential in marketing and public relations. Currently, cell phones that our work together has improved the I previously served on the Board from and computers are today’s methods of collective self-esteem of our profession. February 2010 through February 2012, and I communication. Being have been a member of CALDA continuously computer literate allows me various tools to We continued together with successfully since September 2008. Since I last served on get my work done, communicate and service shepherding the first LDA-related legislation the Board, I have been involved in the local all of my responsibilities this position will (AB 285) in 15 years, which has raised our Los Angeles/Orange Counties Chapter as require of me. visibility in a positive way and also improved Secretary / Treasurer. our daily lives by taking away onerous I constantly participate in group’s discussions barriers to our doing our work. Mandatory When I was a new member and LDA, I and promote being enrolled in CALDA. CALDA brings and offers security Continuing Education will challenge us to received a lot of help, guidance and good keep the quality of our education high and it advice from the more established members for all of us Legal Document Assistants. An LDA must always protect themselves against will increase our ranks because LDAs will be of CALDA. In turn, as I have become more further incentivized to joint CALDA. established, I have always done my best to violating the law and ethics. Through involvement in discussions, allows me to extend a helping hand to the newer learn and help other LDA’s stay with in legal Finally now with the creation of Legal Access members and to give back the same level of boundaries. Education, (LACE), CALDA proposes to help, guidance and advice that I received I have a passion and good communication create a licensed, accredited, paralegal when I needed it most. program. LACE’s goal is to educate a new skills and would consider it an honor to be LDA workforce so LDAs may independently If elected as Treasurer/Chief Financial allowed to fill this seat. and effectively provide clients access to Officer, I pledge to not only continue giving solutions to their legal problems. This back to CALDA’s members as I have done in program will also greatly assist us with our a private capacity, but to also do perform the outreach to other groups as they see the official duties of the office in as an open, fair worth of the education we are capable of and consistent manner as possible. providing their constituencies.

CALDA UPDATE | Issue 4Q2015 9

continue to contribute to the CALDA updating of the CALDA Brochures and members by being available as a resource for Questionnaires that CALDA members use for our new member match program, actively their Businesses and clients. Liz was elected Board of to a second two- year term and is currently solicit vendors and sponsors for the Annual serving as the Conference Chair for the 2015 Directors Conference, and provide any additional Annual Conference assisting with and assistance as needed by the CALDA Board. I overseeing the whole event where CALDA have been a registered LDA for 3 years, a members get an opportunity to network and Candidate current Board Member for the past 2 years get their required continuing education and I am active in the Bay Area Chapter credits. She thoroughly enjoys the work of Statements monthly meetings. Serving on the Board for the Board and hopes to continue in helping to provide a great organization for the Continued the past two years has been an enjoyable, members and their clients. learning experience for me and I wish to continue to help in this capacity. Prior to her membership with CALDA, Liz Maureen McCready - Director worked as a Legal Secretary for Legal Services of Northern California, a Legal Aid It would be my pleasure to continue serving Office run by the State of California, and as a on the board if that is the desire of the Library Assistant for the Butte County Law Membership. Working with the Board of Library. She also worked at Catalyst Directors is a privilege that I appreciate Women’s Advocates, a shelter for victims of deeply and, in my capacity as a board domestic violence assisting with temporary ANNUAL ELECTION restraining orders, and at Parent Education member, I will always endeavor to provide Network, a Court Referred Social Service For Voting Members NOT support to others serving on the board as Agency as a Child Care Provider for children attending the conference, please well as to work toward furthering the considered to be at risk for Abuse and fill out the proxy form posted on expansion and awareness of our profession. Neglect. the CALDA website and return it by October 2, 2015 to Marcel Liz completed an AS Degree in the Legal Neumann. All instructions are on Assistant (Paralegal) program at Shasta the proxy form and instruction Peter Phuong Luong - Director College in Redding, California in May 2004, sheet. It is very important to cast and has as a Bachelor Degree in French from your vote by proxy if you are not I was appointed by the Board as a Newsletter California State University, Chico. She also planning to attend the conference enjoys bicycling, music and reading. Director back in April 2015. At first, I was very as we need a quorum to have an excited for having an opportunity to build the election. Please vote! Thank you. association that has meaningfully contributed to my career. Eventually, I was Proposed Bylaw Changes Carlo Perez - Director struggling to balance my time at work, at Proxy & Instructions I am honored for the nomination, and I home as a father of 3 very little kids and I was accepted it in the spirit of gratitude. CALDA about to quit or not to run for Director at this has helped me jumpstart my LDA career, and year’s conference. I would like to give back to the association by It took me a long time to decide to run for a serving in the board if the membership will directorship since my conscience did not give me the opportunity to do so. I would allow me to quit and it asked me it's time to like to serve as a director on the CALDA pay back, to contribute and to do whatever I Elizabeth Fleischer - Director board to be actively involved in our can to make CALDA great since without organization in our efforts of promoting our CALDA, I cannot build my career, my Elizabeth (Liz) Fleischer has been a CALDA LDA profession and getting public awareness member since October, 2006 and is the profession as a LDA as of today. and respect of the LDA as a non-attorney Owner of A Legal Bridge Attorney Support option to meet the legal service needs of the and Self-Help Center in Chico, California. She I hope to have more opportunity to serve assists self-represented litigants as a people. I also want to help create more CALDA in the year to come. registered and bonded Legal Document opportunities for learning and networking for Assistant, and she assists attorneys with their LDAs, not only in the local chapter that I am caseloads as a paralegal. serving, but in other parts of the state as well, so that we can all grow professionally, Liz was appointed to the CALDA board in Julie LaBlanc - Director be experts in our field (forms preparation) January, 2012 as the Fundraising Chair, and and make the LDA a respected profession in I would like to be nominated as a CALDA she assembled an array of products that were the community. Board Committee Member as I think it is sold at the 2013 and 2014 Annual Conferences. She then served as the important to have an organization with a Publications Chair, where she assisted in the broad demographic mix. My goal is to