California Judges' Association's Survivor's Workbook

The California Judges Association has offered the usual programs/seminars for many years, recently focusing on judicial ethics for families and an overview of the Judges Retirement System (which remains mysterious to most spouses and many judges.)
Our newest program is centered around "The Survivor's Workbook", written last summer to help judges and their families document their household business so that if one spouse dies or becomes disabled, the other can manage the family affairs. It may be even more important for single judges to be sure their executors have adequate documentation.
The 60-page workbook includes checklists and forms, instructions for advance health care directives and durable power of attorney for finance, and information on benefits specific to California judges.

The two programs have been well received. They not only cover the kinds of information that should be gathered and entered into the workbook, but how to talk to your spouse about these difficult subjects. A psychologist was on one panel, and skits were used to both dramatize and lighten the presentation. They were not depressing programs, but were participatory and laced with laughter (albeit, nervous laughter.)

Anyone interested in replicating "The Survivor's Workbook" for another state may e-mail me:

Constance Dove
Former Executive Director
California Judges Association
cdove22@mac.com