Estate Planning Council Luncheon - Substance Addicted Beneficiaries

Dancing with the Gorilla: Resolving the Dilemma of Substance-Addicted Beneficiaries by Julie Rivers

As alcoholism rates rise and the Opioid epidemic explodes, more and more of our clients must consider how to provide for a loved one who is dependent upon drugs or alcohol. This presentation will help the practitioner navigate the inquiry with the client, spotting where the red flags are, and ways to address the challenges associated with providing for the addict or alcoholic, keeping an eye towards parity for the rest of the family.

Speaker bio:

Julie Rivers, who is licensed to practice in New Mexico and Oklahoma, concentrates her practice in wills, trusts and estates, family law with a little real estate law, entities, and nonprofit/tax-exempt entities. Ms. Rivers also is well experienced as a litigator and mediator. She has practiced law for nearly 25 years.

Ms. Rivers is a member of the board of directors of the School of Advanced Research, a board member of the Santa Fe Estate Planning Council as well as New Mexico Bar Association's Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board. She is a Leadership Santa Fe (class of 2015) graduate and a member of the Rotary Club of Santa Fe. She has served on numerous other boards throughout her career, both in Oklahoma and New Mexico. Ms. Rivers has previously been a frequent guest lecturer at two of Oklahoma's law schools and has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Oklahoma Law School's Legal Assistant Program.

Ms. Rivers obtained her law degree at the University of Oklahoma in 1992 and her undergraduate from Oklahoma State University in 1984.