Law Office of Melanie J. Aldridge

Law Office of Melanie J. Aldridge The Law Office of Melanie J. Aldridge is owned by Melanie J. Aldridge. Melanie grew up in Merced, California and is a lifelong resident of the San Joaquin Valley.

She earned her B.A. in English from Fresno State and her law degree from UC Davis School of Law. Melanie has been practicing law in the San Joaquin Valley for over 30 years. Melanie’s legal practice is focused on real estate, business law and estate planning.

07/10/2018

Best excuse for a new office puppy!

It’s National Take Your Dog To Work Day! Our office is pet friendly so Siri is a regular visitor and works hard to super...
06/22/2018

It’s National Take Your Dog To Work Day! Our office is pet friendly so Siri is a regular visitor and works hard to supervise the work we do!

PLANNING FOR YOUR PETSIf you’re anything like us, you spoil your pets and love them like they are your kids. They are y...
05/18/2018

PLANNING FOR YOUR PETS

If you’re anything like us, you spoil your pets and love them like they are your kids. They are your “fur-babies!” But have you considered who will take care of them if they outlive you?

While informal arrangements may work, they leave room for disagreements. A better approach is to use your will or trust to nominate a person or organization to care for your pets. Many people also leave a monetary gift to help with the extra expense of a pet.

Another option is to create a separate pet trust, which allows you to put money into a trust for the benefit of your pets. The trustee of the trust is responsible for distributing money to your pet’s caretaker to use for your pet.

Regardless of the arrangement, talk to your nominees to make sure they are willing to care for your pet.

Choosing a guardian for your child is a difficult yet important decision. If you do not name someone, a judge could appo...
05/02/2018

Choosing a guardian for your child is a difficult yet important decision. If you do not name someone, a judge could appoint someone you or your child may not like. Here are some general guidelines:

1. List your values. Identify the values important to you and your spouse. Consider moral, religious, cultural and educational values and practical skills. Your ideal guardian will share these values.

2. Identify candidates. Consider the people who love your child most amongst immediate and extended family or friends. Name individuals rather than couples in case family situations change. Are your candidates financially, emotionally and physically able to care for your child? Pick one person to act as guardian and another as a backup.

3. Ask permission. Once you choose guardians, make sure they are comfortable taking on the role.

4. Make it official. Add your guardians to your wills.

DOES YOUR ESTATE PLAN REFLECT YOUR CURRENT WISHES?Many people have a hard time making estate planning decisions and it i...
04/13/2018

DOES YOUR ESTATE PLAN REFLECT YOUR CURRENT WISHES?

Many people have a hard time making estate planning decisions and it is very common for wishes to change after estate plans are finalized. Occasionally people feel differently about the medical decisions or gifts they made, but more often, our clients call us to change the people they named as their agents and beneficiaries.

We ask our clients to review their estate plans annually. Here are some things to consider when reviewing your estate plan:

- Do you feel differently about medical decisions or procedures than you used to?
- Are your agents still alive? It is not uncommon for people to outlive their named agents!
- Can your named agents still perform the necessary duties? As people age, they may lose the desire or ability to handle complex matters.
- Are your beneficiaries still alive? Do you have other people to name as beneficiaries now, such as new children or grandchildren?
- Have there been marriages, divorces or family disputes that change your opinion of your named agents or beneficiaries?

If any of these things have occurred, contact an estate planning attorney to have your estate plan updated soon.

Celebrating with our colleague Siri! Siri is a rescue dog from Madera County. Although her legal background is unclear...
04/12/2018

Celebrating with our colleague Siri! Siri is a rescue dog from Madera County. Although her legal background is unclear, Siri was a natural fit for the office and is a frequent visitor.

Medical Decisions: Who Will Decide If You Can’t Decide for Yourself?A medical power of attorney or advance health care ...
04/07/2018

Medical Decisions: Who Will Decide If You Can’t Decide for Yourself?

A medical power of attorney or advance health care directive allows you to name the person(s) you trust to make your medical decisions when you cannot make them for yourself. This person is known as your “agent.” Your agent will not make decisions for you unless you become incapable of communicating your wishes on your own. Typically, your medical power of attorney will also include directions for your agent to follow when faced with making medical decisions for you.

People usually choose an agent who is caring and nurturing and who can understand medical terminology and make difficult decisions in highly emotional situations. It is equally important to make sure your agent can be present at the hospital to evaluate your medical condition and talk to your doctors about treatment options. Once you have a potential agent in mind, be sure they will be comfortable in the role and, either before or after you have your medical power of attorney prepared, describe to them the quality of life you would want in the face of various medical conditions.

When to start estate planning?As soon as someone is 18! Sure, most 18-year-olds have no assets, but they are legal adul...
03/08/2018

When to start estate planning?

As soon as someone is 18! Sure, most 18-year-olds have no assets, but they are legal adults. Once they turn 18, their parents can no longer make decisions or access information regarding their medical or financial matters. At a minimum, every adult should have medical and financial powers of attorney to appoint who can make decisions and access information on their behalf if they are unable to themselves.

Most people in their 20s start full-time jobs and begin to accumulate assets. A will lets young adults name beneficiaries who get their assets when they die. For young parents, a will is also an affordable way to name guardians for minor children.

Once someone buys a home, they should have a trust. Without a trust, any estate worth more than $150,000 must pass through probate, an expensive and lengthy court process. Since most houses are worth more than $150,000, a trust is the best way to protect your beneficiaries.

02/23/2018

DIY Estate Planning: A Good Alternative or Not?

There are many types of documents that can be prepared by someone relatively sophisticated but not necessarily a lawyer. For example, people with rentals often use a form lease or people sell cars with an “as is” receipt. However, based on experience, estate planning documents are not the types of documents which should be prepared by non-lawyers. First, even when using reputable DIY estate planning software, we find that the client did not understand the question being asked and therefore answered with the incorrect answer. Second, the funding of a trust is one of the most important aspects of a trust and we find that the funding did not take place (so the trust was worthless). Worse, people frequently assume their estate plan (such as a DIY trust) is in place and the discovery that the trust failed takes place after death when it is too late to fix the problems. Third, even when a DIY document is done correctly, such as a basic Will, our experience reflects that other signed letters or documents are signed and attached to the Will which throw doubt onto the validity of an otherwise valid Will or produce confusion about what the testator really intended.

What Happens If I Die Without a Will?Dying without a will means the law decides who inherits your possessions. Your hei...
01/25/2018

What Happens If I Die Without a Will?

Dying without a will means the law decides who inherits your possessions. Your heirs – usually your children – will have to go through your local Probate Court to divide your estate. These proceedings become part of the public record, take a long time and can be very expensive. Probate fees are set by law and are based on the full value of your assets. They do not take into consideration any debt you may have, e.g., a mortgage. The chart below is an estimate of what a probate proceeding could cost your family.

Having a will does not mean your family can avoid probate, but it does allow you to decide who inherits your property. Ideally, a person with assets worth more than $150,000 has a trust. A trust does all the same things as a will (and more), but a trust also allows you to avoid probate and the expensive fees that come with it.

Address

36914 Avenue 12, Suite 12
Fresno, CA
93636

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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