Journal

There’s another level of thinking that most people seldom, if ever, achieve, or even attempt. That is the “use of one’s mind to actively form connected ideas” that are subtle and nuanced. Or to form opinions that do not come from preconceived positions in which the “thinking” takes the form of back filling with already held ideas that justify the conclusion. As John F. Kennedy said, “Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” Our opinions tend to spring fully formed from our “bedrock” beliefs, such as religious, political and social teachings. The tenets are the basis of our other beliefs and are not subject to being “thought” about themselves.

There are some different approaches for keeping your estate out of probate and, under some circumstances, these approaches may be worth considering.  First, there is the possibility of gifting your assets during your lifetime, so that the estate is comprised of less than $150,000 worth of assets at the time of your death; with an estate that size, the assets…

Yes, we are human animals.  We come with needs and feelings.  These needs and feeling are sometimes strong and contrary enough that we don’t end up doing or thinking what we would choose to do or think if all our decisions were made on a purely intellectual plane. Lighten up on yourself and others. Perfection is unattainable, however you define…

Living large is not the opposite of being small; rather it’s part of being small and flows from it. When, by being small, you create room for other people who are near you, you do not limit the scope of your ability to live life to its fullest.  In fact, you broaden that ability.  Living in the flow lane and…

This is one of my favorite concepts.  People are trying to get bigger, to take up more space, to be in charge.  The concept of being small has to do with not sucking all the air out of the room; not stomping on everyone’s life. Think of those people you look forward to seeing because you feel emotionally safe with…

As I go through a short description of the elements I have associated with Life in the Flow Lane, I would enjoy seeing any comments you may have about each element.  I would especially enjoy hearing about your own experience with these elements, including your observations of your own actions or those of others. The popular concept of mindfulness teaches…

Probate is a court procedure. It is much like an escrow when you are buying a house.  In a probate, all assets that are subject to the procedure become part of the probate estate. There is a fee for filing the probate petition; there is a fee for publishing notice of the probate hearing in the newspaper; there is a…

There are trusts that are created to avoid probate.  Probate avoidance trusts are often called living trusts or revocable trusts. A living trust is a trust that was created to be effective during the life of the person who created it. That person is called the settlor or the trustor, the two words are interchangeable. The opposite of a living…

So, as I describe flow, it is the concept of dealing with life in a way that will deliver the “greatest result” with the least stress. Life in the flow lane is an approach that relies on using the concept of flow as you move through life. The greatest result is subjective, and in the concept of flow it includes…

I am an attorney.  I was born in 1940 and was admitted to practice law in California in 1972.  I graduated from Stanford University in 1962, then spent three years in the Air Force and three years in the family printing business before going to law school at University of California Hastings School of Law in 1968. Over the years,…