I try to balance my practice with my family life, which includes my husband, Jim, and two sons, Luke and Sam. My 87-year-old mother lives with me much of the year too. I am deeply committed to voluntarism and work with the Boy Scouts, my sons' school, Valley Presbyterian Church and currently serve as Vice President of the Phoenix Chapter of the Society for Financial Professionals.

I am a Past President of The Junior League of Phoenix, Inc., and past member of the Executive Council for the Elder Law and Mental Health Law Section for the State Bar of Arizona, the Arizona Trial Lawyer Association, the Arizona Women's Lawyers Steering Committee, and the American Trial Lawyers Motor Vehicle and Highway Division.

Family dynamics have been part of the businesses that I have served. They have been key to business succession planning for many businesses with which I have worked. Effective communication is effective communication, whether in a company or a family.

Yet, family dynamics are clearly an integral part of aging, dying and transferring wealth. Having expert assistance to improve how family members work together can streamline your affairs and maintain a sense of family harmony.