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“A well thought out estate plan is an act of love for yourself and your beneficiaries”. So says my guest Loulena Miles. 

In our conversation we cover the basics of estate planning, and the different main documents that are involved in an estate plan. We talk about how to refresh an estate plan and the hazards of do-it-yourself estate planning. We also spend some time talking about digital assets, and the importance of creating an advanced medical healthcare directive and thinking clearly about end of life care and beyond.

This conversation was originally recorded as a live Zoom presentation to a small audience and Loulena provided 3 documents to accompany her talk. The documents are available by clicking on the links below and I encourage you to download and/or print item #2, the Podcast Handout, and have it available as you listen to the talk.  

1. Main Presentation Slides (simple)
2. Podcast Handout (detailed)
3. Biggest Mistakes People Make With Their Wills (WSJ - 2/16/2023)

Loulena Miles has been practicing law as a licensed California Attorney since 2003. She began her career in public policy in Washington DC working for the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability. Following completion of her law degree, graduating in the top of her class at Golden Gate University, she worked as the Staff Attorney at Tri-Valley CAREs practicing environmental law and public policy. She then worked in private practice as an Associate Attorney at Adams, Broadwell, Joseph and Cardozo in South San Francisco with a focus on administrative law. Most recently, before forming Miles and Torres Associates, Loulena assisted senior citizens with legal issues including maintaining housing, healthcare and financial solvency. She is a Strauss Scholar and a New Voices Ford Foundation Fellow. She presented at the United Nations in New York and Geneva and the World Social Forum in Mumbai, India. She holds a certification in conflict resolution and mediation. She was awarded Witkin and Cali awards for top academic performance in Wills and Trusts, Criminal Law, Legal Research and Writing, Negotiations and Toxics Law and Policy. Loulena Miles is a member of East Bay Trust and Estate Lawyers and is currently serving on the nonprofit board of Tri-Valley CAREs.