Law Offices of Chris Hansen, APC

08/13/2024

You can also follow on Instagram to see more. I am stepping my toes into the social media waters...

07/19/2023

Thinking about one’s demise is not something people want to spend time thinking about. However reality is that we all have to face this one day. It is just a matter of whether you depart this world prepared or unprepared. If you pass away with at least $184,500 in gross assets and you do not…

07/13/2023

Aretha Franklin died in 2018 and left two wills written by her own hand. A jury just recently decided that the newer will, written in a spiral notebook and found under her couch cushions was controlling and should be followed. She was an amazing artist but perhaps did not receive or take the best advice when it came to her finances and estate. So far her estate has paid $900,000.00 in legal fees and probably over 99% of those fees could and should have been avoided. Before you write your own will, which is perfectly valid in California as long as it is entirely in your own handwriting, signed and dated, at the very least, call me.

Sorry for being long winded but I really would like to share the following thoughts from President Obama after she passed, I think they encapsulate Aretha's gift to this planet:

"America has no royalty. But we do have a chance to earn something more enduring. Born in Memphis and raised in Detroit, Aretha Franklin grew up performing gospel songs in her father's congregation. For more than six decades since, every time she sang, we were graced with a glimpse of the divine,' the Obamas wrote.

'Through her compassion and unmatched musicianship, Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade - our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. She helped us feel more connected to each other, more hopeful, more human. And sometimes she helped us just forget about everything else and dance.'

12/20/2021

If you are or know a military family this article is worth a read and I would be happy to provide a free phone consultation if anyone has questions.

Military members with estates worth more than $150,000 should not rely solely on a will to take care of their families. They should use inter-vivo trusts to save their beneficiaries time and money, especially in California and New York.

12/10/2021

This colorful story is representative of a common issue faced by many children when their parents leave their estate in equal shares and the estate mainly consists of the family home. If you know someone facing this issue or planning for the future have them give me a call. Live long and prosper!

The fate of a 46th Avenue home that boldly goes where no one has gone before is going to probate court, as a dispute over ownership could blow up the enterprise.

09/28/2021

My legal services become more important when a life event happens such as weddings, child birth, milestone birthdays, retirement, divorce and death. Another important service for these events are flowers from Alpine Artistic Florist. You can find them on the web here: https://alpineartisticflorist.com/ Enjoy these fall colors.

09/24/2021

My La Mesa BNI group is family to me. I have been a part of this group for 18 years and would like to invite you to check out its wonderful members that I confidently refer to friends, family and clients. Also, you should consider joining if you have a small business.

Join a local network with global reach! BNI is the largest & most successful business networking organization w/ Members & Chapters in 76+ countries!

07/03/2020

Cherish family, not money; and then have dedicated, trustworthy and honest legal representation if someone tells you that you cannot give your only grandson whatever it is you wish to give him. Furthermore, make sure you have the proper loved ones in place within your estate plan should you no longer have capacity to act on your own. Stay safe everyone, have a few potato chips and a Happy 4th of July! And may you all live independently from here on out...

The heiress to the Golden Flake potato chip empire is for now back in control of her fortune after a ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court

04/29/2020

Just a friendly reminder... You can't take it with you but you can decide what happens. If you have any questions about trusts or estate planning I am here to answer them. Have a wonderful day!

02/28/2019

Elvis Presley is looking out my office window at St. Marten's Church and reflecting on how having a trust in place has allowed his family to keep and build his empire. The trust still operates a corporation for the benefit of the Presley family. Elvis is not alive, sorry, but his family still feels his love and dedication. Give me a call and I can help you follow in the King's shoes.

10/11/2018

My favorite LinkedIn review by far! :)

Matthew Ott

October 9, 2018, Matthew was a client of Chris’

Best lawyer I’ve ever worked with by far!