Lewis Business & Estate Planning, APC is a professional law firm based in Orange County, California.  Our Firm is dedicated to providing exceptional service in the areas of estate planning, tax planning, business planning, trust administration and probate.  Our attorneys have years of experience implementing strategies that have saved clients millions of dollars in tax liability.  Our clients include business owners, affluent individuals and families, trustees and corporate executives.              


Visit our website to learn more about our services.

Christy Lewis Elected
YMCA OC Board Chair
Christy L. Lewis, J.D., LL.M, was recently elected Chair of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Orange County and now serves as the first female Chair in the history of the Organization. From after-school and fitness programs to community service programs, the YMCA of Orange County provides Southern California residents with a place to learn, grow, and serve.  
LBEP Welcomes its
Newest Associate
Jessica Ertel, J.D. joined Lewis Business & Estate Planning, APC in June of 2017. Ms. Ertel enjoys creating custom-tailored solutions to help clients achieve their estate, tax and business planning goals and  is passionate about providing the highest level of legal excellence and care. 
  Protective Planning for Young Adult Children
Going Off to College

As your young adult children prepare for college, you are likely in serious preparation mode.  While you’re probably busy helping your son or daughter arrange for dorm life, buy textbooks and supplies, and otherwise plan for college, there may be one planning aspect you’ve forgotten ... does your child have a power of attorney and an advanced healthcare directive?  Once your child turns 18, he or she is an adult in the eyes of the law, and therefore you are no longer their legal representative.  As such, you can no longer make certain financial and healthcare decisions on your child’s behalf, and you no longer have the right to access your child’s health information.  This is worrisome for most parents, especially if your child attends an out-of-state college and cannot return home quickly should a legal or health issue arise. 


A power of attorney would give an authorized agent, such as a parent, access to the child’s financial accounts.  A power of attorney can also give a parent the authority to act on the child’s behalf to ensure tuition is paid.


An advance healthcare directive and accompanying HIPAA release would allow an authorized agent, such as a parent, to make medical decisions for the child in the event of an emergency.  Without these documents, parents may not be authorized to discuss treatment options or make urgent decisions regarding their child’s medical care. 


We recommend that young adults execute a power of attorney, advance medical directive, and HIPAA release so that parents have the power to act as the decision makers while their children are away at college.  With simple planning and the appropriate documents, parents can have the peace of mind knowing that their children have a safety net in place should the unexpected happen.  

Please contact our office to learn more about the simple planning tools available to help reduce uncertainty and provide a legal framework for your children when they finally leave the proverbial nest and go away to college.
Christy L. Lewis, J.D., LL.M  is a premier estate, tax and business planning attorney in Orange County, California. Her practice is primarily focused on developing and implementing advanced estate and tax planning techniques for clients with estates ranging in value from $20 million to $300 million, and providing business and tax planning advice to closely held businesses. Read Bio
Leann Collins, J.D. joined LBEP in November of 2015 and has been an integral part of the LBEP team ever since. She is a talented and dedicated practitioner who is always willing to lend a helping hand and go the extra mile to assist clients with their legal and/or administrative needs. Leann came to LBEP with years of experience representing clients with their estate planning, trust administration and probate matters. Read Bio
Jessica Ertel, J.D. joined LBEP in March of 2017 and is dedicated to creating custom-tailored solutions to help clients achieve their business and estate planning goals. She recently authored Estate Planning in a Digital Age: Protecting Your Digital Assets for OC Lawyer Magazine Read Bio.

Lewis Business & Estate Planning, APC
949 South Coast Drive, Suite 555
Costa Mesa, CA  92626
Phone: (714) 581-8808
Fax: (714) 581-8809

  
Attorneys
Christy L. Lewis, J.D., LL.M: clewis@lewisplanning.com
Leann Collins, J.D.: lcollins@lewisplanning.com
Jessica Ertel, J.D.: jertel@lewisplanning.com