Occasionally someone calls and tells me they are convinced that they should transfer their home into an irrevocable trust to avoid Medi-Cal estate recovery. They are “sold” on that approach, but is it the right decision under present law? Transferring ownership on the remote chance of receiving Medi-Cal is usually ill advised. What […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read MoreRetirement plans, such as Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRA’s”), are special assets not only when it comes to their favorable income taxation treatment, but also when dealing with SSI and Medi-Cal rules regarding eligibility and estate recovery. Let us examine the rules, first, and then consider a scenario. Retirement plans […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read MoreDoes your estate plan adequately protect your loved ones should you become disabled? That is, do your power of attorney and trust instruments authorize your agent and trustee, respectively, to assist those who depend on you in the manner you would want were you to become disabled? It is entirely possible that your legal instruments […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read MoreDepending on one’s family circumstances, In-Laws may factor as either a more or less important consideration in planning one’s estate. These persons include your children’s own spouses and your spouse’s own parents and siblings. In-Laws are important for various reasons. First, they may have inheritance rights in regards to your blood relatives’ estates. Second, they […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read MoreWith people living longer planning for the cost of long term care is a real concern. Long term care encompasses a continuum of care options, from at home care, to assisted living, up to a residential skilled nursing home. Long Term care Insurance (“LTCI”) is private insurance that pays for some of these long term […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read More“Special Needs Trusts” (“SNT’s”) come in three types: (1) Self-Settled (“first party”); (2) third party; and (3) Pooled. SNT’s help people with special needs to remain eligible for needs based government benefits (e.g., SSI/Medi-Cal) who might otherwise lose such benefits due to an inheritance, personal injury award, or a lucky wind-fall. Many people who know […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read MoreMy last article discussed the power of attorney for personal care. That article discussed how to authorize an agent to handle financial and property issues largely related to your personal care. This article discusses how to make your health care wishes enforceable. The Advance Health Care Directive, the Do-Not-Resuscitate Order, and […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read MoreMany of the day to day domestic responsibilities that need to be handled on our behalf during incapacity involve personal care issues that are typically unrelated to what is usually provided for in our durable power of attorney to manage financial and property affairs. By planning ahead we can authorize […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read MoreWhat does it mean for a trustee to have so-called “absolute discretion” with regard to their trustee powers? The term “absolute discretion” is an oxymoron. Absolute discretion is not absolute; it does not allow the trustee to do whatever he pleases. Without careful advice from a qualified attorney, a layperson acting as trustee can easily […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
Read MoreLake County has numerous worthwhile charitable non profit organizations that are both deserve and need of charitable donations. Endowment funds ensure that your donations will be used by the charitable organization for certain specific purposes. Consider, for example, St. Helena Hospital Clearlake which seeks funds specifically to build a new […]
posted on: January 26, 2015
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