Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, November 6, 2021

A 7-POINT ESTATE PLANNING CHECKUP: IS 
YOUR ESTATE PLAN UP TO DATE? 

Even if you have a totally solid estate plan in place, it can turn out to 
be worthless for the people you love if it’s not updated when necessary. 

Estate planning is not a one-and-done type of deal—your plan should 
continuously evolve along with your life circumstances and other 
changing conditions, such as your assets and the law. 


No matter who you are, your life will inevitably change: families change, laws change, assets change, 
and goals change. In the absence of any major life events, I recommend reviewing your estate plan at 
least every three years to make sure its terms are up to date. 

Additionally, there are several common life events that require you to immediately update your 
plan—to ensure the time and money you’ve already put into your planning will always keep your 
loved ones out of court and out of conflict, no matter what, no matter when. If any of the following 
events occur, contact your estate planning attorney right away and amend your plan. 

1) You get married: Marriage not only changes your relationship status; it changes your legal status. 
Regardless of whether it’s your first marriage or fourth, you must take the proper steps to ensure 
your estate plan properly reflects your updated wishes and spousal needs. 
2) You get divorced: Since divorce can be one of the most stressful life events, estate planning often 
gets overshadowed by the other dramatic changes happening. But once divorce proceedings start, 
you’ll need to ensure your future ex is no longer eligible to receive any of your assets or make financial 
and medical decisions on your behalf—unless that’s your wish. Once the divorce is finalized and 
your property is divided, you’ll need to adjust your planning to match your new asset profile and 
living situation. 
3) You give birth or adopt: Welcoming a new addition to your family can be a joyous occasion, but it 
also demands entirely new levels of planning and responsibility. At the top of your to-do list should 
be legally naming both long and short-term guardians for your kids and considering estate planning 
vehicles, such as a revocable living trust, for them as well. These planning tools can make certain 
the assets you want your child to inherit will be passed on in the most effective and beneficial way 
possible for everyone involved. 
4) A loved one dies: The death of a family member, partner, or close friend can have serious consequences 
for both your life and estate plan. If the person was included in your plan, you need to 
update it accordingly to fill any gaps his or her absence creates. From naming new beneficiaries, 
executors, and guardians to identifying new heirs to receive assets allocated to the deceased, make 
sure you address all voids the death creates as soon as possible. 
5) You get seriously ill or injured: If you’ve been diagnosed with a serious illness or are involved in 
a life-changing accident, you may want to review the people you’ve chosen to handle your healthcare 
decisions as well as how those decisions should be made. The person you want to serve as your 
healthcare proxy can change with time, so be sure your plan reflects your current wishes. 
6) Your assets or liabilities change significantly: Whenever your estate’s value dramatically increases 
or decreases, you should revisit your estate plan to ensure it still offers the maximum protection and 
benefits for yourself and your loved ones. Whether you inherit a fortune, take out a new loan, close 
your business, or change your investment portfolio, your estate plan should be adjusted accordingly. 
7) You plan to buy or sell a business: If you plan to sell a business, you may be able to take advantage 
of the numerous tax-savings opportunities available in conjunction with your overall planning. And, 
of course, if you are buying a business, you’ll want to ensure your plan is updated and also consider 
your succession plans for the new business. 
A Common Mistake 
Outside of not creating any estate plan at all, one of the most common planning mistakes a plan no 
longer works because it was not properly updated during life. Unfortunately, once something happens 
to you, it’s too late to adjust your plan, and the loved ones you leave behind are forced to deal 
with the aftermath. Don’t let that happen to your family! 


A local attorney and father, Marc Garlett is on a mission tohelp parents protect what they love most. His office is locatedat 55 Auburn Avenue, Sierra Madre, CA 91024. Schedule anappointment to sit down and talk about ensuring a legacy of loveand financial security for your family by calling 626.355.4000 orvisit www.GarlettLaw.com for more information. 

EDUCATION AND YOUTH 
SCHOOL DIRECTORY 
Alverno Heights Academy200 N. Michillinda Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626) 355-3463 Head of School: Julia V. FanaraE-mail address: jfanara@alvernoheights.org 
Arcadia High School180 Campus Drive Arcadia, CA 91007Phone: (626) 821-8370, Principal: Brent Forseebforsee@ausd.net 
Arroyo Pacific Academy41 W. Santa Clara St. Arcadia, Ca,
(626) 294-0661 Principal: Phil ClarkeE-mail address: pclarke@arroyopacific.org 
Barnhart School 
240 W. Colorado Blvd Arcadia, Ca. 91007 
(626) 446-5588Head of School: Ethan Williamson 
Kindergarten - 8th gradewebsite: www.barnhartschool.org 
Bethany Christian School93 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 
(626) 355-3527Preschool-TK-8th Grade 
Principal: Dr. William Walnerwebsite: www. bcslions.org 
Clairbourn School 
8400 Huntington DriveSan Gabriel, CA 91775Phone: 626-286-3108 ext. 172 
FAX: 626-286-1528 
E-mail: jhawes@clairbourn.org 
Foothill Oaks Academy822 E. Bradbourne Ave., Duarte, CA 91010(626) 301-9809Principal: Nancy Lopezwww.foothilloaksacademy.orgoffice@foothilloaksacademy.org 
Frostig School971 N. Altadena Drive Pasadena, CA 91107 
(626) 791-1255Head of School: Jenny Janetzke 
Email: jenny@frostig.org 
The Gooden School 
192 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 
(626) 355-2410Head of School, Jo-Anne Woolner 
website: www.goodenschool.org 
High Point Academy1720 Kinneloa Canyon RoadPasadena, Ca. 91107 
Head of School: Gary Stern 626-798-8989 
Email: schools@monrovia.k12.ca.us 
Odyssey Charter School725 W. Altadena Dr. Altadena, Ca. 91001(626) 229-0993 Head of School: Lauren O’Neillwebsite: www.odysseycharterschool.org 
Pasadena High School2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca.
(626) 396-5880 Principal: Roberto Hernandezwebsite: http://phs.pusd.us 
St. Rita Catholic School 
322 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024Principal: Adela Solis (626) 355-6114solis@st-ritaschool.orgWebsite: www.st-ritaschool.org 
Sierra Madre Elementary School141 W. Highland Ave, Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626) 355-1428 Principal: Lindsay LUISE-mail address: LUIS.lindsay@pusd.us 
Sierra Madre Middle School 
160 N. Canon Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626) 836-2947 Principal: Garrett NewsomE-mail address: newsom.garrett@pusd.us 
Walden School 
74 S San Gabriel Blvd 
Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 792-6166www.waldenschool.net 
Weizmann Day School1434 N. Altadena Dr. Pasadena, Ca. 91107(626) 797-0204Lisa Feldman: Head of School 
Wilson Middle School 
300 S. Madre St. Pasadena, Ca. 91107(626) 449-7390 Principal: Ruth EsselnE-mail address: resseln@pusd.us 
Pasadena Unified School District 
351 S. Hudson Ave., Pasadena, Ca. 91109(626) 396-3600 Website: www.pusd@pusd.us 
Arcadia Unified School District 
234 Campus Dr., Arcadia, Ca. 91007 
(626) 821-8300 Website: www.ausd.net 
Monrovia Unified School District 
325 E. Huntington Dr., Monrovia, Ca. 91016 
(626) 471-2000Website: www.monroviaschools.net 
Duarte Unified School District 
1620 Huntington Dr., Duarte, Ca. 91010 
(626)599-5000Website: www.duarte.k12.ca.us 
8 
Mountain Views-News Saturday, November 6, 2021 
website: www.highpointacademy.org 

Arcadia Christian School 

La Salle College Preparatory 1900 S. Santa Anita Avenue Arcadia, CA 91006 

3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca. Preschool - and TK - 8th Grade 

(626) 351-8951 website: www.lasallehs.org 626-574-8229/626-574-0805

Principal Dr. Jamal Adams Email: inquiry@acslions.com 

Monrovia High School Principal: Cindy Harmon 

325 East Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA 91016 website: www.acslions.com 

(626) 471-2800 Principal Darvin Jackson 
FAMILY MATTERS 

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 
Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com