By: Trevor L. Stapleton So you finally finished your estate planning and signed your revocable living trust. Phew!! Now you are done. Or are you? Finalizing your trust is a major accomplishment to be applauded for sure. However, your trust is only effective as to assets “in the trust.” You will not avoid probate unless Read more…..

Wilke Fleury is pleased to announce that 18 of the firm’s attorneys have been selected for inclusion on the 2026 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. The annual Super Lawyers and Rising Stars selections recognize attorneys across a wide range of practice areas. This year’s honorees reflect the depth of Wilke Fleury’s litigation, Read more…..

By: Trevor L. Stapleton Some assets automatically pass to a designated beneficiary upon the owner’s death, often referred to as “non probate” assets. Common examples are bank accounts or life insurance policies where a beneficiary designation is made on the account. This may seem like a quick and efficient way to provide for the disposition Read more…..

By: Trevor L. Stapleton Government programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid provide financial assistance to millions of Americans with disabilities. However, qualification for public “means tested” programs is typically available only if an individual has very limited financial resources. For example, programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid generally require individuals Read more…..

By: Mario S. Turner DMHC’s March 2026 Roundtable Signals a Busy Year Ahead The Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) held its quarterly roundtable on March 4, 2026, and the message was clear: 2026 will be an active year for health plans. DMHC shared updates on assessments, pending regulations, licensure initiatives, network reporting, and several Read more…..

By: Aaron R. Claxton On February 27, 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued a moratorium on the enrollment of new durable medical equipment (“DME”) suppliers with Medicare. The moratorium applies to the following seven supplier types: In issuing the moratorium, CMS noted that their determination for the need to implement the Read more…..

By: Trevor L. Stapleton We recently had a call from an individual, “Person X”, who was asked to pay money to a Companion to help settle the estate of the Companion’s father. Specifically, the money was necessary to pay estate taxes, to allow the release of the decedent’s assets. The Companion provided Person X a Read more…..

By: Trevor L. Stapleton Many kinds of accounts and property allow for a beneficiary designation, sometimes calledtransfer-on-death (TOD) or payable-on-death (POD) designations, that allow the account to passdirectly to a beneficiary on your death. Do you know if you have made any beneficiarydesignations on your accounts? Have you reviewed these lately to be sure they Read more…..

We are pleased to congratulate Jason Eldred on his promotion to senior counsel at Wilke Fleury LLP. Jason’s work in service of clients is outstanding. His thoughtfulness and hard work contribute so much to what makes our firm truly special. Jason’s clients include construction companies, real estate companies, and medical professionals. Jason’s practice focuses on Read more…..

Myth 1: I have a will, so I do not need anything else. Fact: A will is one part of the estate planning puzzle. But it is only one part and by itself is generally insufficient to meet the comprehensive needs of a business owner. A will does not address what happens to your business Read more…..

Wilke Fleury LLP is pleased to announce that Neal Lutterman is the firm’s Managing Partner beginning January 1, 2026.  Neal succeeds Steve Williamson, who held the role of Managing Partner from 2020 through 2025.  Steve Williamson led the firm through several years of significant change, and the firm is immeasurably grateful for Steve and his leadership. Neal Read more…..

By: Shur Erdenekhuu and Mena Arsalai On October 11, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1415 (“AB 1415”) into law. The bill amends the California Health Care Quality and Affordability Act by establishing reporting and notice requirements for certain “noticing entities” engaged in healthcare-related transactions, including private equity groups, hedge funds, management services organizations Read more…..

1. A partridge in a pear tree. Female partridges are among a group of clever birds known to feign injury as a way to lure predators from their nest and protect their young. Think of yourestate plan as the human version of that instinct—a clever way to protect and reduce risk for your own loved Read more…..

By: Mario S. Turner A Shift in Regulatory Focus The Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) held its quarterly roundtable on September 3, 2025. Mental health and behavioral health were central topics, with significant focus on 988 crisis services and employee assistance programs (EAPs). While much of the discussion was directed at full-service health and Read more…..

Wilke Fleury is extremely proud to have seven attorneys recognized in The Best Lawyers in America and eight attorneys recognized in the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America! Best Lawyers has been regarded by lawyers and the public for more than 40 years as the most credible measure of legal integrity and distinction in Read more…..