We are happy to share the exciting news that effective January 1st the new name of our law firm is Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law. Justin has worked closely with Roy W. Litherland for the past 7 years as an Associate Attorney, is certified as a legal specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization and has been actively educating our clients and community on estate planning and elder law issues through … [Read more...] about Exciting News! We are now Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law
The Job of a Caregiver
by Dedra Jize, OT, CSA Geriatric Care Manager, Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law The Caregiver job is one of the least understood jobs by other family members and friends who are watching from the outside, regardless if they live near or far. As the Caregiver, you may be pushed to the limit but there is no time to explore options for help. Perhaps there are funds out there to tap into to reduce the financial strain or maybe your loved one is eligible for … [Read more...] about The Job of a Caregiver
Elder Law Today: Medi-Cal and the Deficit Reduction Act
by Justin M. Kennedy, Attorney at Law Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law Recently I have worked with many clients who have expressed concerns about when California will implement the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA). The DRA was signed into Federal law on February 8, 2006. The Federal government then told the individual states to update their Medi-Cal laws to conform with the DRA. Currently California has not yet implemented the changes that would bring Medi-Cal … [Read more...] about Elder Law Today: Medi-Cal and the Deficit Reduction Act
Consider Taking the Entire Family on Vacation
by Dedra Jize, OT, CSA Geriatric Care Manager, Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law With summer approaching, you may be thinking of planning a summer vacation. There has been a shift to making these trips intergenerational; the grandchildren, parents and grandparents all go together. This can have advantages when there are young grandchildren who may need to ‘sit out’ on some of the experiences or need someone to watch them so their parents can have a night out, and can also … [Read more...] about Consider Taking the Entire Family on Vacation
Home Safety Check: Let’s Tour Your Home, Room by Room
by Dedra Jize, OT, CSA Geriatric Care Manager, Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law Let’s go and take a tour of your home and check it out for safety. That’s right…get up and let’s walk outside and stand in front of your home. Out Front: First, are your house numbers highly visible (night and day) for emergency personnel? Do automatic lights on timers or motion detectors brightly light the path to the front door? Do you have steps? Highlight them by painting the edge a … [Read more...] about Home Safety Check: Let’s Tour Your Home, Room by Room
Estate Planning Is a Must for Single Parents
There is an expression that is often used with regard to the Vice President of the United States. He or she is said to be "a heartbeat away" from the presidency. The message that this is trying to convey can be applied to a single parent who has young children with regard to what could be waiting just a heartbeat away. If you were to pass away, what would become of your children? As a parent, this is a vital question that you need to address by assuring that you have a solid estate plan in … [Read more...] about Estate Planning Is a Must for Single Parents
The Major Tax Changes: An Overview
The new tax law has dominated political discussion for months and will likely continue to do so well into 2018. Consequences, both intended and otherwise, are still unclear. But for now, these are the big changes for both individuals and companies. In general, the changes to individual provisions expire at the end of 2025, but the corporate changes are permanent. Click here to read more. … [Read more...] about The Major Tax Changes: An Overview
Limits to Medi-Cal Recovery (An Elder Law Today Blog)
By: Matthew M. Shafae, Attorney Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law The future of Medi-Cal eligibility has been the subject of speculation for a little over a decade now. Will the California implementation of the federal Medi-Cal system, known as Medi-Cal, finally implement federal laws enacted back in 2005? And now, with a Republican president-elect and a Congress with a Republican majority in both houses, it appears Medi-Cal funding may be an additional topic for … [Read more...] about Limits to Medi-Cal Recovery (An Elder Law Today Blog)
Special Needs Trusts: Two Words to Say Fairness
By: Matthew M. Shafae, Attorney Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law Special Needs Trusts (also called Supplemental Needs Trusts) are specific types of trusts that allow a disabled person to be the beneficiary of a trust while not interrupting his/her eligibility to receive government assistance. Without a Special Needs Trust, persons with disabilities risk losing government benefits if they receive an inheritance, a personal injury award, or receive other funds. In 1993, … [Read more...] about Special Needs Trusts: Two Words to Say Fairness
Exclusion of Gains from Sale of Personal Residence
By: Justin M. Kennedy, Attorney Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law I spoke with a client, William, the other day who shared that he purchased his home many years ago for fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). That same home is now worth an estimated one and a half million dollars ($1,500,000). If the home was sold today, the capital gains taxes would be calculated on the difference between the sale price ($1,500,000) and the basis in the property ($50,000), for a taxable gain … [Read more...] about Exclusion of Gains from Sale of Personal Residence
