EVERYTHING A BABY BOOMER SHOULD KNOW
Mark S. Cornwall, Esq.
Attorney at Law
“Where I live in Alexandria, Virginia, near the Supreme Court building there is a toll bridge across the Potomac River. When in a rush, I pay the toll and get home early. However, I usually drive outside the downtown section of the city, and cross the Potomac on a free bridge. If I went over the toll bridge and through the toll without paying I would be guilty of tax evasion. However, if I go the extra mile and drive outside the city of Washington to the free bridge, I am using a legitimate, logical and suitable method of tax avoidance. And, I am providing a useful social service as well."
For twenty years I was a trial attorney. For twenty years I stood before judges and juries and argued the merits of my clients' cases. Sometimes, in the heat of the stuffy courtroom, I would sweat blood over the judge’s rulings or a witness’s statement on cross-examination. But one thing that never changed was the clenching in my stomach every time I watched a jury walk back into the jury box with their verdict, and I attempted to read their faces.
I was never able to read their faces – win or lose. It always seemed the one person that nodded their head up and down in agreement with everything I said turned out to be the one juror that voted against me.
It is a crazy business. If I lost, sometimes I would appeal and my appellate victories have been published in both Federal and California State Appellate courts. If I won, my opponent would appeal and sometimes my victories would be sent back to the trial court on remittitur for a new trial.
Millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts later, it still seemed that nobody was ever happy with the outcome. There were probably five clients during that period of my career that actually understood and appreciated the magnificent job that had been accomplished by so many people working so hard on their behalf.
That’s why I jumped that stressful warship and dove swimmingly into the peaceful waters of estate planning. I wanted to provide a service that would produce an identifiable product and give immediate gratification to my clients. There is no better peace of mind than knowing your home is in order, your loved ones are cared for, and you have done your job.
An Insider's Guide to Estate Planning
TO ESTATE PLANNING:
KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT!
Why pay money so an attorney can try and explain the difference between a Bypass Trust and a QTIP Trust, when this book will answer that question long before you have to pay for a consultation?
This guidebook helps you map out your estate plan so it goes exactly where you want it to go. It explains the tools you need to give away or preserve your money, homes, businesses, heirlooms, cars, boats, jewelry, tools, art, memorabilia, and every other artifact of life you have accumulated over the last 45 to 65 baby booming years.
Mark S. Cornwall, Esq.
210 E. Figueroa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101