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Michael Lonich

About Michael Lonich

Specializing in Divorce and Estate Planning, I am San Jose Attorney, Michael E. Lonich; and I have been battling for client’s rights for nearly 40 years. When focusing on divorce, child custody, and related matters, I know all too well the emotional and financial toll divorce has on clients. Integrity, common sense, and a passion for what I do which guarantee the best possible results for my clients. Resolution of family law issues requires an attorney able to navigate the myriad legal and emotional issues presented in cases. Financial issues, child custody, domestic violence, valuation of property, analysis of RSUs, hidden assets, spousal and child support, all may require trial, mediation, or a collaborative effort with the parties. Regardless, each client gets the individualized attention they require. Every family law case is unique, we partner with you to develop a comprehensive approach to get the best results.

Entries by Michael Lonich

Navigating the Legalities of Online Estate Planning: The Rise of Digital Wills

May 14, 2025 in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

Estate planning used to be about deciding who got the house and inheritance money, choosing a guardian for our children, and making sure our final wishes were respected. As more of our business, our assets, and our lives moves online, however, it’s changing the way we have to think about estate planning. Digital wills and […]

Top 5 Common Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid

April 16, 2025 in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

If you’re younger than 50, you might not have given much thought to estate planning yet. However, estate planning is an important process that helps you protect and provide for your family. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of the top five common mistakes to avoid in estate planning. Mistake #1: […]

How to Minimize Estate Taxes: Strategies and Tips

April 2, 2025 in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

Nobody enjoys paying taxes, and it’s even worse knowing that after you pass away, even your estate will be taxed. We’re not saying that all taxes are bad. After all, they fund essential public services, such as schools, libraries, and infrastructures. But considering we are taxed on everything we earn and buy, it’s natural that […]

How Do Life Insurance and Annuities Fit Into Estate Planning?

March 19, 2025 in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

Estate planning is an important tool that can help you provide for your loved ones after you’re gone but also help minimize taxes and maximize your funds both now and later. Life insurance policies and annuities can factor into your estate planning to ensure your estate planning goals are met. Below, we’ll go over how […]

Who Needs an Estate Plan?

March 5, 2025 in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

True or False? Only rich, elderly people need to have an estate plan. It wouldn’t be a surprise if you chose ’True.’ After all, just the word ‘estate’ brings to mind large country manors with huge tracts of land. And that’s how the Oxford Dictionary defines it. However, there’s another definition that refers to an […]

Is a Handwritten Trust Legal in California?

February 19, 2025 in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

When creating an estate plan, you might wonder if you need a lawyer to write up complex legal documents or if you can simply write your wishes by hand. In California, a handwritten trust, known as a holographic trust, can be a legally binding document, but certain rules must be followed to ensure its validity. […]

Elder Law Essentials: Legal Strategies for Aging Well and Protecting Assets

February 5, 2025 in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

Around the time we reach middle age, we start to form a picture of how we want our golden years to look. Most of us envision an active, healthy older person living their best life. Traveling the world, enjoying long walks with our partner, and spending time with our children and grandchildren checks all the […]

Guardianship vs. Power of Attorney: Understanding Your Options for Decision-Making Support

January 29, 2025 in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

When someone is unable to make important decisions for themselves (often due to age or health issues), it can be helpful to pursue certain legal processes to enable a trusted individual to make these decisions on their behalf. Both guardianship and power of attorney provide important decision-making support, but they do have some distinctions, discussed […]

Guide to Creating a Special Needs Trust for a Disabled Child

January 17, 2025 in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

Estate planning is one of the best ways to provide for your family when you are gone. When you have a disabled child, it’s even more important to have a plan in place before you actually need it since they will likely need ongoing assistance. While many people set up trusts to distribute funds to […]

Sibling Rivalry and Inheritance: Navigating Fair Distribution in Estate Plans

December 31, 2024 in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

Money can be a touchy issue, especially among close family members. According to an Ameriprise study, when siblings argue about finances, it’s usually about how an inheritance gets divided up and whether parents are being fair to each child when it comes to financial support. Fair distribution of assets in estate planning can be complicated, […]

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LONICH PATTON EHRLICH POLICASTRI

1871 The Alameda, Suite 400, San Jose, CA 95126
Phone: (408) 553-0801 | Fax: (408) 553-0807 | Email: contact@lpeplaw.com

LONICH PATTON EHRLICH POLICASTRI

Phone: (408) 553-0801
Fax: (408) 553-0807
Email: contact@lpeplaw.com

1871 The Alameda, Suite 400
San Jose, CA 95126

Located in San Jose, Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri handles matters for clients in northern California, specifically San Jose and Silicon Valley. Our services are available to anyone within the following counties: Santa Clara, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, and San Francisco. For a full listing of areas where we practice, please click here.

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