People should know the legal requirements for the proper execution (signing) of wills. Under California law, the execution of a will must be witnessed by two persons generally competent to act as witnesses. Wills are not notarized. An exception exists for handwritten wills — so-called “holographic wills” — which do not require any witnesses. […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read MoreAn individual who receives Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) receives a maximum of $866 a month in 2013. This amount is supposed to be enough to provide for all the food and shelter necessities of life. It includes rent, electricity, heat, and food. Not surprisingly, given the cost of living, many SSI recipients still rely on […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read MoreParents with a child who has developmental disabilities face different challenges during the life of their disabled child. These can be grouped into four different stages based on age. Let us consider what is important at each stage. Stage 1, from birth till age 3, involves the “Individual Family Services Plan” (“IFSP”). The […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read MoreCalifornia has enacted a new statutory exclusion from change in ownership for local tax assessments that protects certain cotenants (co-owners) from reassessment at the death of a cotenant. Real property that has been held for a long time is often taxed at a lower value than it would be if its value were reassessed […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read MoreThe Department of Health Care Service (“DHS”) has released for public comment draft regulations regarding the implementation of federal Deficit Reduction Act’s (DRA’s) reforms to Medi-Cal for long term skilled nursing care (not Community Based Medi-Cal). This brings California closer to DRA implementation which will occur once the final regulations are implemented; which some […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read MoreIn special circumstances a beneficiary may want to transfer inheritance rights to another. Let us examine when, why and how such transfers can take place. Consider an heir to a deceased person’s intestate estate (i.e., a person who died without a will). Sometimes, an heir may want to transfer his/her inheritance rights to the following […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read MoreA significant portion of wealth transfers are lifetime transfers from parents to their children (or grandchildren) while the parents are still alive. Let us examine why and how such transfers take place and what it means for those involved. Often due to their immediate life circumstances adult children ask for a portion of their […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read MoreWhat is vesting and why is vesting important? Vesting occurs when an interest becomes an enforceable legal right. Until vesting occurs, an interest is a mere expectancy. Let us examine vesting in the context of estate planning. First, let us consider vesting in the context of a will. Anyone named as a beneficiary in another’s […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read MoreWhat is the difference between a Will and a Living Trust (“Trust”)? This is a basic question people need answered. Let us examine the primary differences between Wills and Trusts. These differences relate to the following issues: (1) whether a Probate is involved; (2) what assets and legal affairs are implicated; and (3) when does […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read MoreNot everyone who serves as a Trustee expects or wants to be paid. But those who do want to get paid need to know up front whether or not they will be compensated for their work. They should also know how their compensation is determined. Trusts may provide for no compensation, reasonable compensation, […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read More© 2014 Dennis A. Fordham All Rights Reserved
Follow Us