As a person who is going to be qualified for Medicare later in your life, you may wonder why Medi-Cal would be relevant to you. Medi-Cal is a health insurance program for people with virtually no financial resources, right? If you expect to retire with savings and income, you may assume that you would never need to concern yourself with Medi-Cal. In fact, Medi-Cal is quite relevant to a very significant percentage of senior citizens. While it is true that you qualify for Medicare at the … [Read more...] about Isn’t Medi-Cal Only for the Poor?
Is Probate Always Required?
It can seem as though the utilization of a last will is the simplest and most efficient way to transfer assets. A trust can seem like something that is much more complicated. In fact, when you use a will, the heirs to the estate don't receive their inheritances until the estate has been probated. The probate court supervises the administration of the estate unless you take steps to avoid probate. There is a caveat to the above. In the state of California there are some probate shortcuts that … [Read more...] about Is Probate Always Required?
Who Can Create a Power of Attorney?
Your estate plan should be holistically prepared to address the eventualities of aging along with the postmortem process of asset distribution. Incapacity planning is part of the equation. Because many people become unable to handle their own affairs late in their lives, powers of attorney are often used. With a power of attorney you can name someone else to act on your behalf. This representative is known as the agent or attorney-in-fact. A standard power of attorney that is not designated as … [Read more...] about Who Can Create a Power of Attorney?
Medi-Cal Recovery: Can the Government Take My Home?
The Medicare program is relied upon by most senior citizens. You become eligible for Medicare coverage at the age of 65 if you have accumulated at least 40 retirement credits. You accrue credits as you earn taxable income throughout your life. You may feel confident about your health care needs being met during your retirement years because you will qualify for Medicare. The wildcard is the matter of long-term care. Medicare does not cover long-term care. A stay in an assisted living community … [Read more...] about Medi-Cal Recovery: Can the Government Take My Home?
Keep Your Memory Healthy (An Elder Law Today Blog)
Keep Your Memory Healthy by Dedra Jize, OT, CSA Geriatric Care Manager, Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law Who hasn’t gone into a room, only to stare blankly and wonder why you went in there? When we were younger, we would laugh it off and go back to where we started just to be reminded what we wanted in the first place. However, as we get older, these types of occurrences may trouble us and make us question our memory or even ask, “Am I getting Alzheimer’s?” Be assured … [Read more...] about Keep Your Memory Healthy (An Elder Law Today Blog)
The Triple A’s of Geriatric Care Managers: Assess, Advocate and Assist
by Lois G. Tager, M.Ed., CSA and Dedra Jize, OT, CSA At the Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law, our Professional Geriatric Care Managers serve the clients of Attorney Roy W. Litherland as well as those who may not require his legal services, but do need the help of a Geriatric Care Manager. We have vast knowledge regarding aging and issues affecting the elderly. Our backgrounds and experiences are varied academically, professionally, and personally … [Read more...] about The Triple A’s of Geriatric Care Managers: Assess, Advocate and Assist
Why Should I Consider a Living Trust?
You have various different options when you are planning your estate. You can use a last will to record your final wishes regarding the transfer of your property, but it is not your only choice. Even if you are not wealthy, you may want to consider the creation of a revocable living trust as a vehicle of asset transfer. Probate Avoidance Probate is a legal process. When you use a last will to direct the transfer of your property, the will must be admitted to probate. During probate the court … [Read more...] about Why Should I Consider a Living Trust?
When Do I Need a Special Needs Trust?
They say that you should use the right tool for the right job. This comes into play when you are planning your estate. There are various different legal devices that can be used to arrange for the transfer of assets to others. You should become apprised of your options and make the optimal choices. With this in mind, let's look at special needs trusts. People With Disabilities & Medi-Cal People who have disabilities often rely on government programs, and Medi-Cal is one of them. Medi-Cal … [Read more...] about When Do I Need a Special Needs Trust?
What Is the Nomination of a Guardian?
Parents of minor children should certainly take action when it comes to estate planning. Statistics tell us that younger adults are quite remiss when it comes to the execution of estate planning documents. They may have some reasons that make sense to them, but you put your children at risk when you do not take preventative measures. Nominating a Guardian One of these preventative measures would be the nomination of a guardian. You can nominate a guardian when you are drawing up your last … [Read more...] about What Is the Nomination of a Guardian?
Should I Create a Joint Tenancy With My Child?
Joint tenancy is the condition of co-ownership of property. Joint tenancy with right of survivorship allows the surviving joint tenant to inherit the entirety of the property that was held in joint tenancy. The transfer takes place outside of probate. This can seem like a viable estate planning solution. Let's say that you want to leave your home to your son after you die. You could add your son to the deed of your home, making him a joint tenant. After you die, he would assume ownership of the … [Read more...] about Should I Create a Joint Tenancy With My Child?
