Alexandria Skinner, Mediator and Attorney

03/13/2026

We are actually just a few months away from the midterm elections. Now is the time, not later, to make sure that you have everything in proper order to make sure you’re not turned away at the polling place. My personal recommendation is that, if at all possible, married women who use a different name than their birth name should go ahead and get a passport. Suppose your ordinary ID is insufficient and you vote provisionally, the process to follow up on a provisional vote is cumbersome and time-consuming. (This is also a moving target. What if they pass this thing just six weeks before the election, and you don’t have time to fix your documents?)

02/15/2026

The rule of law depends on due process. Due process is a fundamental idea that means everyone is entitled to fairness. The idea that due process would apply to some people and not others is, frankly, bizarre.

02/11/2026

Although many people call my office seeking a will or trust, estate planning is not just about what happens to your "stuff" after you are gone; it also covers what happens if you cannot make medical decisions for yourself, while you are alive! Imagine if you had an accident while crossing the street, and a medical decision needed to be made at a time when you were not able to speak for yourself. Who would the hospital call for permission to proceed with medical treatment? What if two close family members were in disagreement? Without valid, updated health care directives, your medical providers could face delays or legal complications, medical care could be postponed, and / or your wishes and personal values might not be followed accurately. A Health Care Power of Attorney appoints a trusted Agent to make health care decisions for you. Don't worry, it doesn't mean you can't make your own decisions! It is only used if you become unable to make a decision for yourself.

It's important to consider carefully who to name as your healthcare Agent. The best person to make medical decisions may not be the same person you would choose to manage business matters for you. Who would be at your bedside when the doctor makes rounds at 7 AM? Who would be able to sort through complex medical options and decisions, balancing things like pain and suffering and chances of recovery? Just as importantly, would this person be willing to make the decision that you would want, which might not be the same thing they would choose for themselves? Some people appoint the family member most versed in medical issues, but emotional capacity for making the decisions can be just as important as subject matter expertise. These discussions about who to appoint as health care agent, and then doing it, are just a few things I discuss with my estate planning clients as we put together a comprehensive estate planning package.

Whenever you are ready for help reviewing or updating your health care directive along with your other estate planning documents, South Carolina residents feel free to schedule an appointment using my website, alexandriaskinner.com . I am here to support you.

01/16/2026

Another example of why you (and everyone reading this) needs to have appropriate legal documents in place that would enable your trusted circle of family or friends to manage or take care of your business affairs and your children if something were to happen to you:

A 13-year-old Pomona boy is now left without his sole caregiver after his uncle was taken by ICE. This comes after the boy's aunt, who was in the process of adopting him, was killed two years ago by a DUI driver.

Two years after his aunt was killed by a DUI driver, a 13-year-old Pomona boy's uncle - the teen's only caregiver - was detained by federal immigration authorities.

01/15/2026

An immigration attorney recently posted on his page: "To the immigrant community and those who care about them, I keep saying, you need to assume the worst outcome for yourself and your family, and you need to prepare financially and legally to take care of your affairs." I am repeating him: Every immigrant needs to know how bad things are and prepare for the worst! People are being picked up and deported without any chance to present their legal case, without opportunity to get their affairs in order. Children have been left unattended in cars or at school with no one to pick them up. If you are an immigrant, you need to have LEGAL documents in place to handle emergency or temporary care and custody of your children. You also need a legal, durable power of attorney for business (so that someone would have authority to collect your paycheck, deal with the bank, sell your car, engage in a legal case, whatever). You also need to have engaged an immigration attorney so that they would have authority to bang on the door of the detention facility and demand to see you. You also need to accumulate cash to cover emergency expenses if you couldn't work. These are hard things to think about, but better to know and prepare than to be caught unaware.

The separation is one of dozens happening in Oregon, with ICE detaining both parents or single parents, leaving small children in the care of relatives, family friends, babysitters and in the foster care system.

12/16/2025

12/08/2025

The holidays bring families together — and provide a rare chance for meaningful conversations about the future. Swipe for estate planning questions worth asking around the table this season.

Want support in these conversations or have other estate planning questions or needs? Don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are here to help.

12/03/2025

The legal issues discussed in this podcast fit precisely within focus of my niche law practice, which is what I call "non-adversarial family transitions." Families in which one of the parents are vulnerable to deportation absolutely need to make contingency plans assigning a trusted adult to care for their minor children. This can include everything from picking up a child from police custody or from school after their parent has been detained to having the child live with them semi permanently in the USA even while their parent is overseas. And I do not mean informal arrangements! Informal, handshake agreements are not sufficient! These parents need to get documents in place that either proactively (as in the case discussed here) assign custody or else (as in the documents I personally prepare ) enable an agent to pursue a legal action to award emergency, temporary, or long-term custody of their minor children to another trusted individual. If you or someone you care about could possibly face deportation or incarceration, please share this podcast with them and encourage them to think about the unthinkable. Because that is the only way to prepare.
Fearing deportation, undocumented parents are preparing to leave their kids behind

Code Switch on NPR One | 11:44

11/27/2025

Whether you’re hitting the road to visit loved ones or staying cozy at home, we hope your Thanksgiving is filled with laughter, gratitude, and festive celebrations (turkey hats optional).

For our part, we’re taking a short break this Thursday and Friday to enjoy time with family. We will be back Monday, ready to reconnect.

Wishing you a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving!

11/27/2025

On November 27, 2025, I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving Day! I hope that no matter what circumstances you find yourself in, this day and this season will provide many opportunities for things to be grateful for. I certainly have a lot to be grateful for. I'm grateful not just for my family, but also for my friends, clients, and colleagues. I'm also thankful that I've found a way to make a living in a way that helps people navigate challenging transitions in life. My ultimate goal is to make people's lives better by using the skill and insight I have developed over the course of a professional life spanning more than 40 years -- not just as an attorney (and mediator) who knows something about legal rules and processes, but also as someone who can look at the big picture and help clients understand the issues, possible consequences of various decisions, and develop a strategy that uniquely meets their needs and reflects their individual circumstances and values.

11/18/2025

The Thanksgiving season reminds us to express gratitude, but it’s also the perfect time to show it through action.

One of the most impactful ways to care for your loved ones is by having a solid estate plan in place. It not only ensures your wishes are honored, but also offers peace of mind for those you care about most.

An estate plan may include:

✅ A will to guide asset distribution and name guardians
✅ A revocable living trust to avoid probate
✅ Financial and health care powers of attorney
✅ A living will for end-of-life preferences
✅ Beneficiary designations

If you haven’t reviewed your plan lately or haven’t started, there’s no better time than now. Your future self (and your family) will thank you.

11/11/2025

On this Veterans Day, we’re taking a moment to reflect and say thank you. To all who have served and to the families who support them: your sacrifice, strength, and dedication mean more than words can express.

It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, but today reminds us to slow down and recognize the everyday heroes who walk among us. If you’re a veteran or have one in your life, we hope today brings you the appreciation you so deeply deserve. Thank you for your service.

Please note that our office is closed on November 11th in observance of the holiday. We’ll be back on Wednesday, November 12th, ready to respond to any messages received during our absence.