Today I was honored to speak to the West Sacramento Rotary Club on how to spot and prevent elder financial abuse. With our economy and society in an especially vulnerable state, the challenge of elder exploitation isn’t going away – and we need to be ready to tackle it head-on. With its large population of senior citizens, California is a major flashpoint in this ongoing fight to protect our elderly loved ones. In my presentation I showcased ways to detect and stop wrongdoing drawn from my two books, The Wolf at the Door: Undue Influence and Elder Financial Abuse and Alzheimer’s, Widowed Stepmothers & Estate Crimes. The facts they share are more relevant than ever. It was a pleasure speaking with West Sacramento’s Rotary C[...]

Robin Hood is a legendary outlaw lionized in English folklore, literature and movies. While a fictional character, folklore identifies Robin as a former soldier of the crusades. When he returns to England from battle, he finds his family dead, his lands confiscated, and England’s royalty rife with corruption. Robin changes his life and his attitudes. He steals from the rich and gives to the poor. He is a criminal. The people see this in a different light. Robin treats women, the poor, and common people with courtesy and respect. The people view his actions as a revolt against the existing authority. An authority drunk on power and privilege. Historians identify the literary origins of Robin Hood as poetic expressions of popular a[...]

We’ve seen, if not experienced, protests. They have a particular cadence. “What do we want?” (Fill in the demand) “When do we want it? Now!” So, six weeks into Governor Newsome’s statewide shelter order we’re seeing protests. Thousands of people protesting stay-at-home coronavirus restrictions. What we don’t see are, but only hear a little about, are the multi-billion-dollar industries seeking new coronavirus restrictions – restrictions against people who may have been civilly wronged during the pandemic. California nursing homes and the California Assisted Living Association want restrictions from any administrative sanction or criminal or civil liability for any injury or death or loss allegedly resulting from the[...]

Hackard Law is pleased to announce that we've been featured in Comstock's Magazine, the premier publication for Sacramento's business community. We're proud of our attorneys, staff and all the hard work they do on behalf of our clients in estate and trust litigation. Here's the photo feature: [caption id="attachment_2311" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Hackard Law attorneys from left to right: Brian Geremia, Andrea Athens, Michael Hackard, Sarah Cullen and Dave Jones.[/caption][...]

Over 200 million Americans are staying home – sheltering in place. Covid-19, the culprit behind our need to take cover, is capturing the world’s headlines. And, we Americans, overwhelmed by minute-by-minute breaking news, want our questions answered. Headlines are not enough. And, the first question is how does the Coronavirus impact our bodies. The answer to the question is better shown, than told. So, thanks to the generosity of High Impact, a leading team of animators, forensic experts and physicians, this most important question is answered. High Impact is nationally known for assisting firms like Hackard Law in telling stories in ways that mere words cannot describe. The leaders of High Impact freely share this video wi[...]

We’re nearing Christmas. It is a time of great joy. And, of course it has its own stresses. Over the years, I’ve made efforts to remember and somehow reflect on the magic of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. It helps to re-center the joy of the season. So, I’ll share some thoughts for us in this Christmas of 2019. Everyone has value. We are all children of God. There is magic in seeing life as a child. Our actions affect others. We can transform ourselves in helping and loving others. We all probably have a little Scrooge in us. We can do better. We can have joy. We can share. And, finally in the words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us, everyone.” Merry Christmas. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqfchwFga[...]

We suppose that your day began like many others. It would become a day that ended with the dreaded radio call "officer down." Tara O'Sullivan, today a community is in mourning for you - for your ultimate sacrifice. We're at a loss for words. Some of us will say a prayer. Others observe a moment of silence. Some will think how much we take for granted those who protect us each day. Those whose loss we mourn. Those whose work we honor. We will grieve for you - for your family. We think of you. Your youth. Your energy. Your commitment. Your brief life. Tara, we hardly knew ye. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx5d5J48S00[/embed][...]

This weekend I was a presenter at San Francisco Assessor Carmen Chu’s Family Wealth Workshop. The title of my presentation was Protecting Against Elder Financial Abuse. I was able to share stories with the community and they in turn shared stories with me. I find this the most gratifying part of these events. One particular story touched my heart. Details of the story have been changed to protect the privacy of those involved. I hope that the spirit of the story stays intact in my telling. I’ll call him Sam. He is approaching 80. He is retired. He is widowed. He has no children. Other members of his family are also elderly. He shares with me his fear – a fear that he cannot shake. While he has financial assets his ties to his lo[...]

We take our safety for granted – at home, at leisure and in the workplace. We shouldn’t. There are men and women sworn to protect us – everyday they go to work knowing that they are at risk – and knowing better than others of the sacrifices that their own brothers and sisters in law enforcement make each day. Yesterday our community lost one of its sworn protectors – a young man, recently married, strong in spirit and unwavering in commitment. Deputy Mark Stasyuk, just 27, serving the people of Sacramento in its Rancho Cordova community was struck down by a killer’s bullet. Our governor has ordered our Capitol flags to fly at half-staff in the Deputy’s honor. It seems normal that we go about our everyday lives without[...]

San Francisco is a city close to the heart of many.  It draws more than 3 million visitors a year and is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is also the namesake of Francis of Assisi – Saint Francis. Since today, October 4th – is his feast day – a story about him is entirely appropriate. I think that I’m drawn to stories about wolves. I’m sure that my first impressions come from the appearances of the Big Bad Wolf to Little Red Riding Hood as well as the menacing wolf well-portrayed in Walt Disney’s Three Little Pigs. It’s a fairly good guess that most baby boomers know the words and cadence of “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?” Now I recently wrote and published a book titled The Wolf at the Door: [...]