On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. You may wonder if estate planning is right for you. Is it necessary, even if you don't have millions of dollars and a lot of property to leave to your loved ones? No matter how much you have to give to your beneficiaries and heirs, meeting with an estate planning attorney allows you to map out how you want your worldly possessions to be distributed after you are gone.Not Just "Elder" LawAlthough estate pl...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Wednesday, May 3, 2017. If you've done even minimal research about estate planning, you've likely heard or read warnings about the lengthy probate process and its costs to your heirs and beneficiaries. Avoiding that process is the main benefit of a living trust. It provides for the handling of probate tasks while you are alive, including paying your debts and distributing your assets, so that when you pass on, your intentions d...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. It's doubtful that you'd want a doctor you've never met to make decisions about whether you live or die, or how you live or die. In fact, you may even to shudder to think about certain family members making those choices. Most people would rather make end-of-life decisions for themselves. Especially since in some cases, you may have moral or religious objections to medical treatments.These are hard ques...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Monday, April 10, 2017. The probate process is an important consideration for post mortem planning. Upon death, a person's estate is administered through probate court. The probate court judge examines the will, if one exists, for validity. If the decedent did not prepare a last will and testament, in legalese, the person is said to have died intestate.Dying intestate certainly prolongs the legal process for your heirs and bene...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Monday, March 27, 2017. Probate is a subject that most people ignore or just put off, but it's highly important. Probate is something you most likely would rather avoid, but this process isn't always that easy to skip over - especially if your estate plan isn't adequate. If you don't have any experience with probate, it can be a daunting thing to go through.As a beneficiary, probate is a long, expensive and highly frustrating p...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Friday, March 24, 2017. Death isn't cheap. There are costs most people don't account for - outside of the realm of funeral and burial costs. To make sure your estate and loved ones don't foot the bill, consider these tips for how to reduce costs your estate will encounter after death.Make a Solid Estate PlanWhile it seems like an expensive task, creating a solid estate plan the right way will cost your estate less in the end. A...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Friday, March 3, 2017. IntroductionMost Americans do not know, or refuse to accept, the facts surrounding their potential need for long-term care and the costs associated with it. This was reconfirmed recently in a telephone survey of 1,735 Americans over the age of 40, funded by the SCAN Foundation and conducted by the Associated Press (AP) - NORC Center for Public Affairs Research ("survey"). This survey highlights many of th...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Tuesday, February 28, 2017. There are a lot of terms associated with estate planning. While most are readily understood, one of the most commonly misunderstood terms it the fiduciary. Your fiduciary holds a responsibility under the law. Fiduciaries are required to put your needs above their own - both financially and health-wise. When selecting this person, you may want to consider the following.Not Everyone is Considered a Fid...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Friday, October 14, 2016. Retirement is just around the corner and while you think you're ready, you might be surprised at how much you still have left to do. You'll need to be 62 before you can even consider Social Security benefits and over the next 10 years, your situation can drastically change. Before you head off into retirement, consider these last minute tips:Create an Estate PlanToo many people assume that estate plann...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Wednesday, July 6, 2016. On June 27, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a bill that limits the state's seizure of assets from the estates of low-income residents ages 55 to 64. This is a good thing. But note that while this is a positive thing, estate recovery is still in effect. After age 65, any money spent on long-term care is still going to be added to your "tab". The gentleman in this linked article is relieved to hear o...
