By: Justin M. Kennedy, Associate Attorney Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law While at a national conference, I attended a seminar on how to prevent identity theft. What follows are some of the tips and strategies provided by the speaker, Jeff Lanza, a Retired FBI Agent, on how to better protect yourself: Social Security Number Do not carry your social security card with you. Mr. Lanza recommended only providing your social security number for the following … [Read more...] about Preventing Identity Theft
Transferring Your Property Taxes Using Prop 60/90
by Guest Blogger, Diane Bucher, Realtor What you Need To Know About Proposition 60/90: The Senior Citizens Replacement Dwelling Benefit Who Qualifies? IF you or your spouse that resides with you is age 55 or older, you may buy or construct a new home of equal or lesser value than your existing home and transfer the base value to your new property. This is a one-time only benefit. You must buy or complete construction of your replacement home within two years of the sale of the original … [Read more...] about Transferring Your Property Taxes Using Prop 60/90
Have You Received a “Recorded Deed Notice” Mailer?
One of our clients recently brought in the below "Recorded Deed Notice" solicitation and inquired about whether or not she was required to pay the fee to the solicitor to obtain a copy of her current deed. We informed our client that she could obtain a copy of her deed on her own from the County Recorder's office. The fee the County Recorder's office will charge is considerably less. Additionally, whenever our office prepares Trust Transfer Deeds for our clients, we record the deed(s) on … [Read more...] about Have You Received a “Recorded Deed Notice” Mailer?
Payable on Death Accounts are not a Comprehensive Solution
Payable on death accounts may sound like a simple way to pass assets to your heirs. However, there are numerous reasons why payable on death ("POD") accounts do not provide a comprehensive estate planning solution. When you open up a bank account or brokerage account, you may be offered a payable on death option. With these accounts you add a beneficiary, and this individual would assume ownership of any funds left in the account at the time of your death. If you are presented with this … [Read more...] about Payable on Death Accounts are not a Comprehensive Solution
Free Living Trust Seminars in January
Helping to keep our community informed is important to us. We regularly get out into the community to provide helpful information to people here in the greater San Jose area. To this end, we present an ongoing series of informational workshops covering various elder care and estate planning topics. Our workshops and seminars are free of charge and open to the general public. During the month of January, we will be offering seminars that focus on the subject of living trusts. Why Consider … [Read more...] about Free Living Trust Seminars in January
Adult Day Care—An Alternative to Nursing Home Placement (An Elder Law Today Blog)
Isolation is often a great danger to elders living independently and, as an alternative to moving into a nursing facility or assisted living facility, many elders have been able to remain living at home with the assistance of adult day care programs. Adult day care programs are community-based and provide a safe, supervised alternative to seniors who are unable to live on their own, but do not yet require 24-hour skilled nursing. Not only are adult day care programs therapeutic for the … [Read more...] about Adult Day Care—An Alternative to Nursing Home Placement (An Elder Law Today Blog)
The Importance of Incapacity Planning
It is useful to see the big picture when you are making plans for the future. When the topic of estate planning arises, people often immediately think about drawing up a last will or a trust to handle the transfer of assets to their loved ones. Without question, this is a key part of estate planning, but there are some other things to consider if you want to be comprehensively prepared for all of the eventualities of aging. Most senior citizens do not pass away after having been in good … [Read more...] about The Importance of Incapacity Planning
Beware of Prescription Discount Card Scams
One of our office team members recently received a notice by National Prescription Savings Network and we felt it was important to share these consumer alerts regarding Prescription Card Scams and tips on saving money on prescriptions: Better Business Bureau: RX: Can free discount cards offer savings? http://web.extension.illinois.edu/aca/eb336/entry_8383/. Federal Trade Commission - Consumer Information … [Read more...] about Beware of Prescription Discount Card Scams
What is Independence to Seniors? (An Elder Law Today Blog)
What is Independence to Seniors? by Dedra Jize, OT, CSA Geriatric Care Manager, Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law Independence is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “not requiring or relying on something else”…and that definition is where the problem lies for many seniors who desire independence. But Webster’s also defines it as “self-governing”, not by doing everything yourself, but directing what and how things are happening. My mom prides herself on her … [Read more...] about What is Independence to Seniors? (An Elder Law Today Blog)
Alert from Our Geriatric Care Managers Re: Long Term Care Bed Availability
Obtaining beds in a skilled nursing long-term care facility is becoming almost impossible in Santa Clara County unless one is admitted to the hospital, stays over 3 midnights, and requires skilled care. We recommend our clients call us at (408) 356-9200 as soon as possible after a loved one is admitted to the hospital so we can help with placement if long-term care is needed. You may also contact us through our website via this link: Contact Us. … [Read more...] about Alert from Our Geriatric Care Managers Re: Long Term Care Bed Availability
