CunninghamLegal

With a combined 68 years of experience, CunninghamLegal's attorneys are experts in the areas of estate planning, trust administration, Medi-Cal and VA Benefits planning, Business Law, probate, disability/special needs planning, asset protection, and much more.

You might say that two themes define Jim Cunningham's life: the law and California.

His many professional memberships include the California State Bar, Ventura County Bar Association, El Dorado County Bar Association, Capitol City Trial Lawyers Association, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), Vistage International, WealthCounsel, and the California Advocates for Nursing Care Reform (CANHR).

He's also a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). A third-generation pilot, he says he's the only one of the pilots in his family never to have crashed a plane-certainly an important distinction.

Jim is also the best-selling author of Savvy Estate Planning, a book that takes the complex topics of living trusts, wills, probate, estate planning, and estate administration and puts them into simple, easy-to-understand language anyone can understand. As Jim says, "It may not be ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,' but it is surprisingly fun to read-and will definitely give you a strong, straightforward foundation in estate law."

A committed philanthropist, Jim is also deeply involved in pro-bono work. "We help medical professionals, first responders, retail clerks, and culinary workers with free online estate planning, including wills, powers of attorney for property and powers of attorney for healthcare.

Estate Planning: Far More than Writing Up Wills

Although it's a highly specialized discipline, the field of estate law casts a pretty wide net, requiring attorneys with a vast expanse of skills. In addition to estates, Jim also specializes in elder law, special needs planning, and Medi-Cal/VA benefits. "Estate Planning often goes beyond even these issues to business planning, asset protection, and much more." Jim frequently helps family-owned businesses, from retail to ranchers, plan for their future. As a licensed broker, Jim personally handles complex private real estate transactions between siblings, landlords to tenants, and the like.

Often, Jim and the other attorneys at CunninghamLegal advise and assist families facing long-term care issues. "For example, if you find out that Grandma needs to go to a nursing home and it's going to cost you $7,500 a month, we help families qualify for public assistance benefits while still preserving their assets.

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