After the stroke, and now in long-term care, the State has become the legal conservator of her estate. Her checking accounts were depleted, and a court-appointed executor was assigned to ensure that the care facility is paid first.
She had discussed putting her home in a Trust, but never followed through. She’s my friend, and this is a true story.
Now, her home, assets and final wishes are tied up in the probate system—a public, slow and often costly legal process. Despite having a Will, her intentions are no longer solely her own. This article was born out of that moment, when I witnessed how easily my friend’s legacy was taken out of her hands, as a result of how the probate process can work.
The Cost of Waiting
My friend procrastinated. And now, in a care facility after a stroke, her future—and her finances—are being managed by people she never chose.
Her story moved me deeply. It was a wake-up call not just for her family, but for me too.
Facing Mortality with Clarity
I created my own Will and Trust in 2003. But life keeps moving—so should our documents. As we age, our priorities change. We start to ask: What is my legacy? Who will receive my home, belongings and final gifts? And—will my wishes be honored?
That’s why I’d like to introduce you to Pamela Morgan, LDA and paralegal.
Compassion Meets Precision
I met Pam a decade ago at a women’s business meeting in our Valley. She reviewed my Will and Trust and gently pointed out that while I’d made a good start, it could be more specific. Still, I waited. Until my friend’s story reminded me: waiting can cost everything.
Pam is thorough, analytical and deeply caring. Her goal? “To help clients feel safe and confident that their wishes will be carried out.” Her thoughtful questions helped me reflect on my deeper values—not just legal details, but the personal meaning behind them.
When I asked why she chose this field, she smiled and said, “It all started in high school.” She excelled in shorthand and typing, then began working as a secretary for two attorneys in Sacramento. After moving to Santa Cruz, she earned her paralegal certification from UC Extension in 1985.
Discovering Her Calling
Pam spent years in law firms—handling divorce cases, personal injury files and combing through endless medical records in criminal law. She became a specialist in interpreting complicated documentation and navigating dysfunction.
But something was missing.
“I was the workhorse behind the scenes,” she said. “There was no direct connection with the people I was helping.”
That all changed when she opened her practice. Today, her work is personal, purposeful and centered on helping clients protect what matters most to them.
More Than Paperwork—It’s Your Legacy
Visit Pam’s site, paralegalpam.com, and you’ll see that her work is about more than forms. It’s about trust—literally and emotionally.
In this short list, she offers:
• Revocable Living Trusts & Amendments
• Last Wills & Pour-Over Wills
• Powers of Attorney (including Pet Care)
• Prenuptial Agreements
• Advance Care Planning (ACP)
ACP helps individuals make medical decisions in advance, such as who will speak on their behalf if they’re unable to do so. While Wills and Trusts manage your estate after death, ACP ensures your healthcare wishes are honored while you’re still alive. Together, they offer peace of mind at every stage.
Pam hosts ACP workshops and one-on-one consultations with a warm, approachable style. Her work is private, clear and deeply rooted in her clients’ values. She has an upcoming ACP workshop in August; however, please check her website for the exact date.
The Sooner the Safer
Wills and Trusts have existed for centuries, not just for attorneys to make money, but to protect families and avoid unnecessary suffering. Wills alone must go through probate. Trusts offer more control, privacy and certainty.
Pam gives her clients that certainty, along with care, respect and the space to reflect on what truly matters. “Documents prepared by a Legal Document Assistant are legally valid and binding just as documents prepared by an attorney.” And my friends, I know firsthand that there is a vast cost savings in having an LDA prepare these kinds of documents compared to attorney fees.
“We’re all going to die,” she said, “but planning is a powerful act of living. It’s a way to define your legacy with clarity and love.”
Janet Janssen is a Life in Business and Speaker coach offering leadership team building and public speaking workshops to business owners and their teams. She is also an active board member with Leadership Santa Cruz County and a member of the Santa Cruz Chamber Women in Business. Contact: janetjanssen.com. (Resources: American Bar Association and ChatGPT.)
