Estate Planning: Death of a Spouse
Your spouse has died, and whether or not the death was sudden and unexpected or gradual and expected, you are in shock. Your mind is just not working quite right. The realization of what has happened –...
View ArticleEstate Planning: Starting the Process
When it comes to planning your estate, it’s best to start the process with an estate planning attorney, preferably a state-certified specialist. But other advisors may play a vital role: your...
View ArticleThe Ins and Outs of Probate
Probate is a court process set up to assure that upon one’s death, assets get distributed to the people in one’s will (or in absence of a will, to one’s legal heirs), creditors get paid, and disputes...
View ArticleThe Family Vacation Home
How do you successfully pass the family vacation home on to your children? As a foothills estate planning attorney, I have clients with beautiful vacation homes in Twain Harte, Pinecrest, Strawberry,...
View ArticleWhy Gay Couples Should Get Married – The Sooner the Better
We all have gay friends or relatives, whether we know it or not, and many share life with a partner. After a historic U.S. Supreme Court decision opened the matrimonial door for California same-sex...
View ArticleEstate Planning: College Prep – The Unexpected Kind
You get a call in the night. Your college-student daughter has been seriously hurt and is unconscious. You jump in your car and set out for the hospital, fully expecting to talk to the doctors, sign...
View ArticlePractical Tips for Special Needs Planning
In honor of “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month,” proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in March 1987, this issue of The ElderCounselor™ examines the unique planning requirements of families...
View ArticleSpecial Needs Trusts: The Current Law and Pending Legislation
Introduction Individuals with special needs often face “quality of life” challenges compared to those without special needs. Many times individuals with special needs require added expenses to meet...
View ArticleReview of 2013: The Effect on California Medi-Cal Rules and California...
2013 was an important year for news that affected our senior, Veteran and disabled populations. Many stories affecting these groups made national headlines. This edition of the ElderCounselorTM will...
View ArticleWhy Planning Matters
Let me tell you a sad but true story that carries an important message: It pays to plan ahead. Two brothers sought my advice when their parents were severely injured in an out-of-state automobile...
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