K E Y S T O N E Q U A R T E R L Y
J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1
Returning to work after the holidays, Keystone employees are ready to tackle any obstacles 2021 may bring for themselves and their clients – although we are optimistic those obstacles will be far and few compared with the previous year. We are continuing to work remotely because of the increase in Covid-19 cases across Los Angeles; nevertheless, we have managed to maintain our regular business hours, remain available to our clients, and provide them with the same high caliber of service to which they are accustomed.
The first Keystone Quarterly of the year is a must-read. It makes a number of noteworthy announcements, including the firm’s newest hires, a well-deserved promotion and recent recognitions. Additionally, we delve into two newly published cases with sweeping implications in the field of probate law: (1) the decision in Estate of Sax about whether putative and pretermitted spouses are entitled to use Spousal Property Petitions to bypass formal estate administration, and (2) the holding in In re Brace that determined whether the title on an asset can supersede a person’s community property rights if the two are in conflict and the requirements that must be met in order to legally transmute community property into separate property and vice versa.
Keystone devotes its practice to probate, trust and estate litigation and administration. We are one of the largest firms in California exclusively dedicated to this practice area.
ARTICLES
How to Avoid Probate as a Spouse
Spousal Property Petitions can save surviving spouses time and money during administration, but do putative, omitted or pretermitted spouses have the right to utilize them? Learn how to avoid probate in California as an pretermitted or pretermitted spouse.
Converting Community Property to Separate Property: What Presumptions Apply?
When does separate property become community property in California, and vice versa? What happens when the title to an asset conflicts with community property laws? Read an analysis of the California Supreme Court decision In re Brace.
Keystone is Hiring!
We're looking to fill both our Associate and Senior Associate positions with attorneys who have an interest in a specialized career path in probate litigation. Associates should have 1-4 years of litigation experience (probate preferred). Senior Associates should have 5+ years of litigation experience (some probate required) with experience managing clients and handling the day-to-day of cases. Keystone has a robust benefits package, great culture and perks. We are currently interviewing and working remotely full time.
Shawn Kerendian and Lindsey Munyer Receive Awards from Best Lawyers
Keystone would like to congratulate Managing Partner Shawn Kerendian and Partner Lindsey Munyer for receiving the “Best Lawyers” and “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” awards, respectively, from Best Lawyers magazine, one of the top publications recognizing legal talent worldwide. Together, they litigated several high-profile cases, including one that recently culminated in a published Court of Appeal decision. Despite the challenges of the past year, Shawn and Lindsey remained as committed as ever to serving their clients.
Rebecca Pelke Promoted From Legal Assistant to Paralegal
Keystone is thrilled to announce that Rebecca Pelke was recently promoted to paralegal from legal assistant. Becca has been with the firm for a little over two years and has far exceeded all expectations during her tenure. As a legal assistant at Keystone, Becca supported four attorneys and assisted in the day-to-day management of her attorneys’ cases. As a paralegal, Becca is now providing litigation and estate administration support to the firm as a whole.
The Firm Welcomes 5 New Members to Its Growing Team
Keystone is excited to announce our latest new hires: Ashley Blaser, Brittany Aldredge, Jane Diamond, Regina Shaw and Victoria Curtice. We feel fortunate to have been able to hire so many new employees during this challenging time and are delighted to welcome all of them to the Keystone family. We look forward to the contributions each of you will make to the firm.
Keystone Relaunches Its Site With Some Major Upgrades
Keystone has been hard at work redesigning and adding helpful probate information to its website. After months of hard work, the new site launched in October 2020, and we are very proud of the final product. We hope you will have the opportunity to explore it!
Our Virtual Holiday Party Was All Fun and Games
Although Keystone was unable to throw its usual big holiday party this year, we made sure that our employees gathered virtually to celebrate the holidays and all the previous year’s accomplishments. Let’s just say that the fact we were meeting virtually instead of in person did not detract at all from the fun. Major props are owed to Brittany Aldredge, the firm’s HR and marketing assistant, who planned the party and used her creativity to find ways for the team to bond and have lots of laughs without being face-to-face.
C O N T A C T U S
11300 WEST OLYMPIC BLVD, SUITE 910
LOS ANGELES, CA 90064
310.444.9092
F O L L O W U S
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