Vocal Law Expert, Sharon Baker-Boykin Gears Up To Celebrate 40 Years as a Licensed Attorney

As a business owner who is passionate about helping others, it is important for Licensed Attorney Sharon Baker-Boykin to be vocal about the resources she offers to communities of color. Here is why:

Sharon tells us that we live in a world that is not color-blind. The symbol of justice is a woman holding a scale which is supposed to weigh the evidence in a case. The woman has a blindfold over her eyes. She is supposed to judge the case based upon the evidence and not the color of the parties. However, we live in a world where she actually does see the color of the parties to determine which side wins.

Sharon Baker-Boykin is a former Special Assistant Attorney General and a former Assistant District Attorney. Usually, you do not see someone who looks like her - a Black, African-American woman - sitting on that side of the case. When the other side sees Sharon, they think that she can “help” them with their case. Sharon knows that she cannot be both the prosecutor and the defense attorney on the same case. However, in most cases, Sharon says that she would invite the other side to come to her office weeks before their trial date to discuss their case and try to reach a resolution. Most did not come to that meeting. So, knowing how the legal system operates on her side of the case, Sharon uses her legal life coaching business and her books to help to educate the public on those legal issues that she has experience in to help them to resolve their issues.

Even when Sharon is out in the world, not everyone knows what her background is. They see color and the fact that Sharon is a woman first. She, along with others, are treated by a society based on what they see first. Even when Sharon drives her car, she keeps her hands on 10 and 2 on the steering wheel. She does not want a reaction before there is an exchange of information.

Vocal readers, we are honored to interview Sharon Baker-Boykin as we learn more about her inspirational experience and expertise as the Owner of Power of 1 Decision, LLC, and as a licensed attorney with almost 40 years under her belt.

Topics you are passionate about educating individuals and families about include: The Do’s and Don’ts of Making Your Last Will and Testament, Affirmative Steps to Protect Your Loved Ones, Life Insurance and Property and Casualty Insurance, How to Legally Protect Your Assets, Social Security Disability Issues, and Child Support and Family Law Issues. Which of these topics consume most of your time and why do you think that is?

Sharon: I think the topic that gets the most traction with me is the estate planning topic of having a Last Will and Testament done. According to some statistics, more than 70% of Black people die without a Last Will and Testament or any other estate plan in place. Some of the notables who died without a Will that have appeared in the media include Aretha Franklin, Prince, Jimi Hendrix, Barry White, Tupac Shakur, and Chadwick Boseman. There are some notable non-Black people who also died without a Last Will and Testament  — Abraham Lincoln, Sonny Bono, John Denver, Pablo Picasso, and Howard Hughes.

Death is a topic that is not fun and we do not like to think of it. However, it is a reality that we must face. A common myth is that “If I do a Will, I am telling God that I am ready to die.” Again, this is a myth. We all will leave this earthly body. We are to be good stewards of the things that we have been blessed with. We cannot take any of these things with us. We are encouraged to leave a legacy for our children’s children. How can we do this if we do not put it in writing or in proper legal format.

What went into the decision to name your company Power of 1 Decision, LLC?

Sharon: It was a personal decision and a continued affirmation to me that there is power when you first make a decision to change something that you do not like about your life. Once you take the first step to make a different decision, then you will find the help that is out there to help with steps 2 through 10+ to now change from what you do not want to what you do want.

You have been practicing law for almost 40 years. You are coming up on a huge milestone moment in your career. We congratulate you on this epic accomplishment. Any plans for celebrating this achievement?

Sharon: Time truly flies when you are having fun. I graduated from the University of Georgia Lumpkin School of Law in 1984 and passed the state of Georgia Bar Exam. 2024 will be 40 years since graduating, passing the bar exam, and practicing law in many areas. I have not yet decided how I will celebrate, but I will plan something to commemorate this milestone.

Describe the most eye-opening topic that a reader will come across in the book “Help Me Get My Stuff In Order.”

Sharon: Here is one eye-opening topic. Suppose a husband and wife have a home. Their names are on the title to the home. Their names are on the mortgage documents. However, they do not have a Last Will and Testament. Also suppose that the husband had been married before and had children with his first wife. Suppose that the husband and current wife have children as well. If the husband dies first, who owns the house? Most people would say that the current wife is the owner of the house. Are you sure? It depends on what the law in the state where they live states.

When you do not have a Last Will and Testament, your state determines who your heirs are and who gets the stuff you leave behind. Some states have at least two ways to look at the house and who gets it when one of the owners dies. Does your state require that language in your deed states that the parties own the property as “Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship” or are just treated as “Tenants in Common”? Some of you might be asking, what is the difference? “Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship” means that if one of the joint owners dies, the survivor gets the whole house. “Tenants in Common” means that if one of the joint owners dies, then their legal heirs get their part.

So, consider the house as a pie. The husband and wife each own 50% of the pie. If the deed or their state law will treat them as having “Joint Rights of Survivorship,” then when one of them dies, the survivor gets the whole 100% of the house. If their deed or their state law will treat them as “Tenants in Common,” the husband and wife own 50% each of the house. If the husband dies first, then the state will determine who the heirs of the husband are. The heirs will get the husband’s 50% of the house. The current wife and all of the children are his heirs. The current wife still owns her 50% and now a percentage of the husband’s 50%. The children from the first marriage and the children of the current marriage will also get a percentage of the husband’s 50% of the house.

I know that this was a lot. But the husband and wife need to find out now what their current deed states and what their state law is on this subject. Each can make a Will and specifically state that when they die, their 50% interest in the house goes to the survivor or to whomever they choose. If not, someone will be surprised when death comes to one of the joint owners. I saw too many fights in this scenario when I was a Probate Court Administrator and I strongly encourage people who are in this scenario to do something now before it is too late.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Sharon: Spare time is a misnomer — LOL. I am married, I am active in my church, I am a business owner, I am active in my sorority — Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and I am a member of many organizations. I try to keep my priorities in front of me and take time out for me.

Are there any new laws that have come to your attention that our readers should learn more about?

Sharon: We all need to register and vote in every local, state, and national election. Man’s laws are constantly changing. We must be aware of who is writing, changing, and voting upon those laws. Some people spend a lot of time putting obstacles in place to make voting difficult. But this should be a sign that our votes really do matter and we must exercise this right every time. Again, not just participating when it is time to vote on a president, but it is more important to vote on the mayor, city council, school board members, judges in all levels of the judiciary, solicitors, prosecutors, and even the governor. These people impact our daily lives more than who the president.

What advice would you have for anyone who has a hard time making decisions that you help your clients put in place?

Sharon: Get a pen and paper and answer the following: On a scale of 1–100, how happy am I with the current status of my life? What things would I like to change about my current situation? If my life were perfect, what would it look like? If I got $1 million dollars, what would I do with it? Do I have loved ones, spouse, children, parents, religious places and/or charitable organizations that I would like to support and/or leave a legacy to?

Focus on these questions. Write out your answers. Is there anything you would like to improve about your life? What are those things? Make the first POWERFUL DECISION to put those answers in writing. They are now in the forefront of your thinking. Take a deep breath, smile, and pat yourself on the back. Now after answering the questions, what will be your 2–10+ steps to put things in place. Get the help. Feel free to contact me at https://www.legallifecoachsharonbaker.com/ for a consultation. If I cannot help you, I will refer others to see if they can help you.

Get connected online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/attorneysharonbaker

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-d-baker-boykin-esq-43a70a6/

Website: https://www.legallifecoachsharonbaker.com/

Be sure to check out Sharon's latest features:

Our Black Woman Magazine https://ourblkwoman.com/2023/04/interview-with-sharon-bakerboykin-owner-of-power-of-1-decision-llc/

We Empower Magazine https://theweempower.com/2023/04/sharon-bakerboykin-discusses-the-importance-of-a-last-will-and-testament/