Mountain Views News          Saturday, April 12, 2014

Mountain Views-News Saturday, April 12, 2014 
B4 BUSINESS NEWS & TRENDS 
Mountain Views-News Saturday, April 12, 2014 
B4 BUSINESS NEWS & TRENDS 
FAMILY MATTERS 

By Marc Garlett 


LAW AND DISORDER: THE JERRY ORBACH ESTATE BATTLE 

Jerry Orbach, who starred as Detective Lennie Briscoe in the popular “Law and Order” television series, 
died a decade ago, but a battle is brewing over his Chase bank account. 

The Chase bank account in dispute belongs to Orbach’s Mingoya Productions company, and is currently 
under the control of the actor’s former accountant, Patricia M. Black. Orbach added Black as a signatory 
to the company’s account a year before he died in 2004. 

Black also served as executor of the estate of Orbach’s wife Elaine, who inherited his entire estate and 
who died in 2009. After Elaine died, her sister, Rita Hubbard, replaced Black as executor. Hubbard 
contacted Chase to inform them of the change in executor and request that Black be cut off from access 
to the account. 

Chase says that Black has not responded to its many phone calls and letters, and is unwilling to turn the 
account over to Hubbard because it is unsure who the rightful owner of the account is since it has no 
proof that Elaine was ever a co-owner of Mingoya Productions. 

Hubbard’s attorney says that Elaine’s estate is the sole owner of Mingoya Productions, and is therefore 
the rightful owner of the account. 

A lawsuit has been filed in Manhattan to resolve the dispute. 

This is the unfortunate effect of not having your estate planning set up properly. Many, many years after 
your death, your loved ones could still be dealing with the fall out. 

Unlike many lawyers, we have specific procedures for ensuring your family doesn’t get stuck dealing 
with the Court when something happens to you. 

If you would like more information about getting your affairs in order and handled well, call our office 
today to schedule a time for us to sit down and talk. Because this planning is so important, I’ve made 
space for the next two people who mention this article to have a complete planning session at no charge. 
Call 626.355.4000 today and mention this article or visit www.GarlettLaw.com for more information. 

Marc, a local attorney, father, and CASA volunteer (Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children) is on 
a mission to help parents protect what they love most. His office is located at 49 S. Baldwin Ave., Ste. G, 
Sierra Madre, CA 91024. 


IF YOU BUILD IT, WILL THEY COME? 

Some people believe that building a web site is all that is needed to start 
a thriving, prosperous business. “If I build it, they will come! I will make 
millions.” I’ve yet to see that happen. I believe in having a great attitude, but 
basing your business strategy on a Hollywood quote doesn’t make sense to 
me. 
What makes sense is to build a web site full of quality information, blog on a consistent basis and 
come up with content on the right tools that link back to your site. Using tools that drive traffic like 
Constant Contact, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter will help you get people to your site. 


Are you posting links to your site or blog on social media? If you use email marketing, does your 
banner and images link to your web site? We are used to clicking on images. If you use Pinterest, 
do your original images link to your web site? 

The bottom line: As you distribute content on the web, you want to make sure that there are links 
throughout the copy and on images that lead back to you. 

Promote your site at every touch point in your business (on and off-line), then they will come. 

About MJ: MJ and her brother David own HUTdogs, a creative services business that specializes in 
Internet Marketing strategies and Social Media. They offer social media management services and 
help their clients build a strong on-line presence. “Like” them on Facebook for trending news in social 
media, internet marketing and other helpful tips, www.facebook.com/hutdogs.
Sign up for their upcoming classes and presentations at: www.hutdogs.com/workshops/schedule 

*the creative entrepreneur 
by Lori Koop, Business Coach 
So, you’re determined to start creating social media content. You know WHY you want to, and 
you’ve set a time weekly to devote to it, but it’s still not happening. Consider the following… 

Maybe your timing is off. After all, you can’t squeeze blood from a turnip. Perhaps there are too 
many things on your plate at the moment. Instead of insisting, relax. Flow with what’s before you 
and trust when the time is right, you’ll find the room in your schedule and the desire to commit. 

“I learned that we can do anything, but we can’t do everything... at least not at the same time. So 
think of your priorities not in terms of what activities you do, but when you do them. Timing is 
everything.” -- Dan Millman 

Or, if the desire and time don’t show up, maybe it just isn’t something you really want to do. You 
may want it to get done, but you don’t want to do it. Why force it? Instead, hire someone who’s 
passionate about social media. Someone who knows what they’re doing and can do it efficiently. 
When you allow yourself to take off some of the hats you wear, you make more room for the work 
you love -- your genius work! You’ll be happier, healthier and more successful! 

Good luck! 
. . . . . 

LORI KOOP, helping creative entrepreneurs prosper. Schedule a complimentary session: www.
LORIKOOP.com or call 626-836-1667. (Location: 49 S. Baldwin Avenue, Suite L, Sierra Madre 
91024) I’m here every other week. 

Fresh Business Ideas. 
New income opportunities. 
www.LORIKOOP.COM
HOW TO GET AHEAD: PAY YOURSELF FIRST 

By Gregory J. Welborn 

 The first quarter has ended and “tax freedom 
day” is just weeks ahead. On April 21st, we 
stop working for Uncle Sam and focus on our 
own financial future. So how do you get ahead? 
How do you actually make a dent on all those 
financial goals? Fortunately, there is a simple 
little technique that can really help.

 Most people follow the same monthly process 
of paying their bills and then, if there’s anything 
left, they think about putting something in 
savings. For too many Americans that doesn’t 
work very well. So, let’s reverse the order. Make 
the first payment of each month into your own savings account.
Prioritize and Discipline

 
This is simple, but it does involve discipline. There always seems to be an endless stream of 
bills. The truth is most people let their expenses – and thus their bills – increase to consume their 
available cash. The genius of paying yourself first is reducing the amount of cash available to 
spend. For most people in most situations, expenses settle down to a lower level.

 Starting out, you may only be able to pay yourself a small amount. But it will become a habit, 
which over time becomes easier the more you do it. Start with $200/month, or $100/month, or 
$50/month, etc. Just start somewhere and then gradually increase it. You’ll be surprised how 
quickly you fall into the new habit.
Now Make Your Savings Work For You

 Now that you’re saving, you need your money to work for you. You can’t just “save”; you have 
to actually “invest” in something. Don’t gamble with it, but don’t be afraid of taking calculated 
risks. Investing in well-diversified, low-cost mutual funds is a calculated risk – and a small one at 
that. Stock market swings won’t hurt you over the long term. In fact, if you’re contributing into 
an investment account on a regular basis, the downs can be a very profitable time for you. When 
you buy low, you make a huge profit when prices come back up.
You’re In Control

 The bottom line is that most people can substantially improve their financial future with just a 
few slight changes in their behavior. You are in control. Pay yourself first, be disciplined and make 
your money work for you. You’ll wake up one day and be amazed at how wealthy you’ve become 
and how much better retirement looks. 

About the author: Gregory J. Welborn is the Managing Partner of First Financial Consulting, 
a fee-only advisory firm. He has worked with The Today Show, Kiplinger’s Magazine, and USA 
Today to provide objective financial advice to their readers and listeners. He has 3 grown children 
and is honored to be married to his wife of 25 years. He can be reached at gwelborn@ffconsult.net