Estate planning may sound like the domain of the very wealthy, however, in the eyes of the law, an estate is simply the aggregate of property an individual owns, and most everyone owns something. Property ownership includes individual as well as jointly owned bank accounts, stocks and bonds, retirement accounts, real estate, jewelry, vehicles, your […]
Archives for October 2020
The Worst Way to “Help” A Child with Special Needs
There’s a lot of bad information on the internet that directs parents of children with special needs to completely disinherit their child in order to maintain his or her eligibility for government benefits such as Medi-Cal, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and housing assistance. While such a blunt move would accomplish the goal of preserving government […]
Understandings Veteran Home Health Care and Technology in California
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has become an unlikely and innovative pioneer in the quest to provide cost-effective, quality in-home care for veteran home health care. Although the agency has long been mired in controversies surrounding its programs, particularly arbitrary caregiver dismissals, the home health services sector of the VA has long been touted […]
What Property Can Be Placed in My Trust?
There are many benefits to creating a Revocable Living Trust as part of your estate plan, such as the ability to avoid probate and put a quick end to the estate administration process. However, creating a Revocable Living Trust will not automatically accomplish your goals and you may ask what property can be placed in […]
The 2020 Ballot Impact on California Property Taxes
This year, the 2020 election holds many important decisions for voters, especially for California residents. On November 3rd, California residents will do more than elect new government leaders. They will also vote on two separate amendments to the California constitution seeking to change its long-standing real estate tax law – known as Proposition 13. The […]
Medi-Cal Matters: Planning for When Your Ill Spouse Leaves Home
You may see it coming: Much as you want to and hard as you try, you just can’t take care of your ill spouse at home anymore. At this emotionally difficult time, the last thing you need is the stress of not knowing where to find the money to pay for the steep costs of […]
“Should I leave $1 in my will or trust to disinherit an heir?”
If I had a dollar for every time someone asked this question when creating an estate plan… well, you get the point. There’s a common belief that if you want to disinherit an heir, say an adult child, that you should leave them $1 and nothing more in your will or trust. The thought is […]
What Can a California Elder Law Attorney Do for You or a Loved One?
According to the US Census Bureau, more than 51 million Americans are currently aged 65 or older, and the number is steadily increasing while medical and technological advancements are allowing seniors to live longer and better lives than ever before. The expanding needs of the US aging population are contributing to an increase in the […]
I’ve Been Named as Someone’s Successor Trustee. Can I Turn Down the Job?
As part of the estate planning process, Irvine trust lawyers will always encourage clients to have open conversations with the person they intend to appoint as their Successor Trustee to ensure that they actually want the job if called upon. There are many responsibilities that someone’s successor trustee may be asked to handle (dealing with […]