Take a look at our June newsletter!
Notes From The Field
June 2025
818-369-7900 | 435-216-4444 | FieldLawPC.com
PLANNING WHEN EVERYTHING IS GREAT KEEP THE GOOD TIMES COMING
Who needs school thoughts on summer vacation? If you have young kids at home, summer can be daunting as you fill their days with enough to keep them engaged and enough free time to enjoy their time off. Even though school is the furthest thing from their minds during the summer months, now is a great time to make sure you have a plan for their future. As a college education becomes increasingly expensive, putting together a college fund is more of a necessity. If you have kids, grandkids, or nieces and nephews, you may consider setting up an investment account to cover their education, career, or life plans. Even small amounts invested in a diversified portfolio have the potential to grow into a comfortable nest egg if given enough time. If your kids are under 18, summer is also a great time to confirm you have guardianship paperwork in place should something happen to you. Children are the greatest blessings for many families, so ensure you have everything in place for their care. Connect with loved ones and preserve your story. For my family, summer meant large gatherings of friends and family. I continue to cherish my memories of going to my aunt’s home for all the major holidays in the summer, where the kids would be off swimming or playing games, and my son and I would barbecue food for everyone. Take time to reflect on the beautiful moments you have experienced with your loved ones. Create a shared album or keepsake box with collectibles from family holidays or a library of journals filled with your account of your life. These priceless items will be timeless reminders of who you are for future generations. Comprehensive, holistic estate planning is about more than avoiding probate. It is about preserving all the best parts of your life for as long as you are here and passing on a legacy of your design to future generations. Your plan should have everything in place for worst-case scenarios so all the good in your life remains. If you have questions about your existing trust or want to connect a loved one with our office, contact our team!
In the long summer days, life seems to swell with vibrancy and joy. As we get caught up in summer holidays and vacations to exciting or familiar places, it’s easy to put off planning. We want to enjoy our time right now, so we hit snooze and say we’ll get to it later. What if you accounted for all the good while enjoying it? Estate planning is more than preventing bad things from happening to your family. It is also about preserving all the parts of your life that make it worthwhile and passing that on to future generations. Summer is often filled with so much life, making it a great time to check in on your plan. Here are a few things you may want to consider as you soak up the summer sun. Home is where your family is. One of the most valuable assets for most families is the family home. If you have refinanced your home since you last reviewed your trust, now is a great time to confirm that it is titled in your trust. One common pitfall for people who create estate plans is failing to fund their trust. Because houses are costly assets, they must be titled in your trust to avoid a lengthy probate process for your beneficiaries. In addition to checking the title of your home, it is worth recording some of your favorite memories in that place. As we saw earlier this year with the devastating fires in Los Angeles, houses are not indestructible, and losing your home often means insurmountable emotional distress on top of physical loss. Consider taking photos of your favorite places and writing down meaningful experiences.
Summer is also the time for exciting getaways, involving timeshares, vacation homes, or favorite spots. If you own additional homes, check the titles of those properties to ensure they are in your trust and will go to your beneficiaries as you wish. For sentimental value, consider making a photo album or other collection of favorite places you have visited. These simple records of your life and the things you enjoy often comfort your loved ones after you are gone.
FieldLawPC.com | 1
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
The Greatest Legal Movies That Took Home Oscar Gold
On the other end of the legal spectrum, we have “Kramer vs. Kramer.” Unlike most courtroom dramas, this one isn’t about crime or corruption. It’s about something just as devastating: a custody battle. Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep delivered gut-wrenching performances that earned them both Oscars, and the film itself took home Best Picture. It’s an emotional roller coaster that reminds us that not all legal fights are about winning. Some are about figuring out what’s best for the people involved, especially when children are caught in the middle. Legal battles don’t get much more intense than those in “Judgment at Nuremberg.” A film about the prosecution of Nazi war criminals could have been just another history lesson, but this movie turns it into a gripping courtroom showdown with unbeatable acting. Spencer Tracy delivers a powerful performance as the presiding judge, but it was Maximilian Schell who walked away with the Oscar for his role as a defense attorney, defending an impossible case. Of course, not all great legal movies have to be heavy. “My Cousin Vinny” proves that courtroom dramas can be downright hilarious and still get the law right. Marisa Tomei stole the show (and won Best Supporting Actress) as Mona Lisa Vito, an unlikely expert witness with a Brooklyn accent and a photographic memory. The film is packed with laughs, but lawyers love it because (believe it or not) it’s actually one of the most legally accurate courtroom movies out there.
Some of the best stories ever told unfold in a courtroom. Something about the high stakes, the moral dilemmas, and the battle of wits make legal dramas some of the most gripping films in Hollywood. I can’t help but appreciate the way some movies capture the tension, strategy, and emotional weight of the law. While many courtroom films have captivated audiences, only a handful have claimed an Oscar. These legal dramas entertained viewers and left a lasting mark on the industry, audiences, and, in some cases, on how we think about justice. Few legal films carry the weight of “To Kill a Mockingbird” or have inspired as many lawyers practicing in the field today. Gregory Peck’s portrayal of Atticus Finch remains the gold standard for what a lawyer should be: principled, fearless, and determined to do what’s right. His performance won him an Oscar for Best Actor, and the film also picked up awards for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Art Direction. It’s a movie law schools still reference today, not just for its legal themes but for its powerful message about integrity and justice.
And then we have “12 Angry Men,” the best legal movie to never win an Oscar. Following 12 jurors in a room debating the fate of a young defendant, this classic is a masterclass in argument, persuasion, and the power of reasonable doubt. For anyone who loves the intellectual side of the law, it’s a must-watch.
These stories remind us why the law matters. Some reveal its flaws, others celebrate its triumphs, and a few do both. Whether they bring us into the tension of a courtroom, the heartbreak of a custody battle, or the weight of history itself, they all remind us of one thing: Justice is never simple, but it’s always worth fighting for.
2 | 818-369-7900 | 435-216-4444
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
There has been some confusion with our legal secretary, Florence, who has The Name Game: Florence Olivia Loewen-Elofson
TURNING THE TIDE ON STUDENT HOMELESSNESS The Dunamis House
been part of our team for the last five years. Though her first name is Florence, everyone in our office calls her by her middle name, Olivia . To avoid mix-ups, we wanted to let you know that if you’ve talked to Florence before, you will still get her when you connect with Olivia. You can still reach her at her email Florence@FieldLawPC.com , but please address her as Olivia in your future emails! If you have any questions, feel free to contact our team.
College is supposed to be a time of growth, learning, and opportunity, but what happens when a student doesn’t have a place to sleep at night? In Los Angeles, a significant number of college students face housing insecurity, which can make earning a degree and achieving career goals very difficult. Often, students must choose between continuing their education or covering their basic needs, but the Dunamis House is stepping in to change that. The Reality of Student Homelessness When people think of homelessness, they rarely picture a young college student balancing coursework and multiple jobs. However, statistics show that housing insecurity is a major problem for today’s youth. The high cost of rent combined with a lack of financial resources put many at risk. Today, more than half of the 220,000 students enrolled across nine Los Angeles Community College District institutions are experiencing housing insecurity. Nearly 1 in 5 are homeless. Without support, these students can struggle in school and enter a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break. How the Dunamis House Is Making a Difference Led by the nonprofit Los Angeles Room & Board, the Dunamis House opened in 2023 in a historic building that once housed Japanese Americans working to rebuild their lives following World War II. Today, the group residential facility provides housing for 40 Los Angeles college students ages 18–24 at risk of homelessness. In addition to free, stable housing, Dunamis provides community support to help residents overcome challenges in school and life. Residents can access nutritious meals, tutoring services, and job training programs. Rather than providing short-term relief, the focus is on helping students become more self-sufficient to achieve long-term success. Los Angeles Room & Board allows residents to live at Dunamis for up to three years. Residents can then transition into one of the nonprofit’s other homes, where they can continue working toward their goals while paying subsidized rent. The housing, support, and stability provided by Dunamis and associated programs provide many with precisely what they need to finish their studies, secure stable employment, and break free from the cycle of poverty.
FieldLawPC.com | 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
818-369-7900 435-216-4444 FieldLawPC.com
P.O. Box 8306 La Crescenta, CA 91224
PO Box 910760 St. George, UT 84791
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Keep the Good Times Coming With Proactive Planning
2
Oscar-Winning Legal Dramas That Stand the Test of Time
3
The Name Game: Florence Olivia Loewen-Elofson
The Home Giving Students a Future
4
Allison Holker’s Financial Nightmare
DANCING WITH DEBT The Costly Lesson From tWitch’s Estate
When dancer Allison Holker lost her husband, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, unexpectedly, she wasn’t just grieving — she was hit with a financial nightmare. After his passing, Holker recently revealed she was left with a staggering $1 million tax bill, saying she’s “still in the trenches,” trying to dig her way out. Though spectators may have assumed she would inherit the wealth from his reality TV and dancing career, she inherited his debt. It’s a reminder that money problems don’t discriminate, and financial planning isn’t just about building wealth — it’s about protecting yourself and loved ones from unexpected burdens. In Holker’s new tell-all book, she said her late husband had spent money recklessly, giving away significant sums to family and friends and purchasing everything from weird art to drugs. The news blindsided her since they had always maintained separate bank accounts, and it seemed they were both managing their independent finances just fine. Though they had been married for nine years, Boss never left a will, leaving her to sort through the financial mess with no plan or instructions. Paying off his debts drained his accounts, and the challenges kept adding up to more dollar signs. The family had no medical insurance after his death because he didn’t list them on his policy. He also failed
to pay his family’s homeowners insurance and still owed car payments, which were all bills Holker had to “catch up” on. The small residuals Holker earned from Boss’ television work barely dented the tax bill.
Photo: Lexi DiStefano
Holker said she had never expected to face a substantial financial emergency like this and wishes they had planned better for the unexpected.
“I think it’s a really important conversation to have because you can’t really prep for something like this,” she said.
Holker had to navigate this financial storm with no plan in place or clear directives from her late husband, all while facing the pain of losing him. It’s an important reminder that an estate plan can help protect loved ones from overwhelming debt and legal complications when the unthinkable happens.
4 | 818-369-7900 | 435-216-4444
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator