Estate planning is personal. When selecting your estate planning attorney, it is important to work with someone who understands your unique needs, including where you come from, where you’re going, and the people who matter most to you; all essential elements to creating an estate plan that works for you.
Being trusted to create personal legal documents is not something I take lightly. Here is information on who I am, what brought me to this specific place in the legal field, and why my background plays a pivotal role in your estate planning future.
My father was an attorney, which in my case, was a largely positive experience. I grew up spending time with him in his law office and in the courtroom. His passion for the law was exciting and inspired me to pursue a legal career. Before law school, when I was in my 20s, I worked for various law firms in both Southern and Northern California, and experienced firsthand the excitement of the legal profession. I knew I enjoyed the legal world, but I had not yet discovered my specific passion within the law.
My love for estate planning began several years after I became a lawyer. In 2010, my mother passed away and named me executor of her will. Prior to my mother’s passing, I had very little perspective or practical knowledge of what being an executor meant. I was unaware of the difficult work required of an executor, but I was determined to learn so I could properly handle my mother’s estate.
Thankfully, around that time, I was working at a firm alongside an experienced estate planning attorney. His guidance was crucial to my early understanding of how estate planning worked. During my grief and the uncertainty after my mother’s death, I realized just how important this area of the law was. Shortly after that, I changed my professional focus from litigation to estate planning – a change I have never regretted in my 12 years as a solo practitioner!
My husband Bob was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2019. We were very fortunate, and still are, that he won his battle and continues to win his battle every day. During this time, we learned once again how important it is to be prepared. I was able to make decisions for him when necessary and while we did not face the worst-case scenario, we were prepared if it happened. We learned a lot from this experience. Most importantly, that being prepared to take care of a loved one (or having things in place so a loved one can take care of you), is absolutely essential!
Over the last 12 years, my husband Bob and I have been passionately involved in our local community. One of the things I have realized while working as a solo practitioner in a small community is how important it is to be aware of the needs of our community and give back to the community whenever possible.
I was on the board of the Desert Business Association (DBA) for three years. I was on the board of the Mizell Senior Center for four years. Bob and I were co-chairs for Mizell’s annual fund raiser, Stars Among Us, for four years. Bob and I have been sustained donors of The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert for almost ten years. Bob was on the board of Sanctuary Palm Springs for five years. And Bob is currently involved with the Oswit Land Trust, whose mission it is to save and preserve land, wildlife habitats, and ecosystems throughout Southern California.
Working as an estate planning attorney is far more than just a job to me. It is a passion, and an area of law that has been monumentally important to myself and my family. Having been where you are personally, and having worked with hundreds of clients who have also been where you are, I am uniquely equipped to meet your estate planning needs. If you want to learn more about how estate planning can protect you, your family, and your community, reach out to our office – I would love the opportunity to help you better understand what estate planning is and how it can help you. Although estate planning is a large investment, and may seem daunting, it is worth spending time to secure what is most important to you.
Palm Springs Estate Planning Services
The Law Offices of Eric A. Rudolph, P.C. is located in Palm Springs, on the corner of Farrell and Ramon (400 S. Farrell Drive, Suite B-200). You can call my office at (760) 673-7600 or email us at [email protected] to schedule an estate planning consultation or to make arrangements to have us prepare or update your estate plan.