Since 1971 Diane has worked with multigenerational clients. Many of whom are on fixed incomes of modest means, as well as those with large estates and six digit incomes. Her approach is to always do what is best for the client. Diane combines her practice with service to the industry; as a trustee on the Board of the College of Certified Financial Planners, a member of the Ethics Board of the CFP Board of Standards, and a District 2 representative on the NASD District Board of Conduct. In 1986 Diane was named the National Certified Financial Planner of the Year. Diane has a syndicated radio spot called Dollars and Sense. She has appeared on the Today Show as a guest, was featured in Money magazine, quoted in USA Today and The Wall Street Journal, and is listed in Who's Who of American Women and Who's Who in Finance and Industry. Her hobbies are painting, singing, and gardening. She is married to Joseph E. Brocato, and is the mother of four grown children. Diane and Joseph make their home in San Luis Obispo.  Diane can be reached in the San Luis Obispo office at (805) 543-4366, or send an e-mail to dblakeslee@blakeslee-blakeslee.com.

Grandparent/Grandchild Exclusion
Did you know it’s possible to pass on $1,000,000 to grandchildren and avoid having to pay estate taxes on the bequest? Most people are aware of the Generation Skipping Trust that the Gallo wine family succeeded in getting written into law allowing $1,000,000 to pass to grandchildren free of estate taxes. People may not be aware of a law that allows up to $1,000,000 of real property to escape reappraisal for property tax purposes if passed to grandchildren. Normally when real estate is transferred to another person the property in question is reappraised and property taxes are adjusted accordingly. California...Read More