On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in trusts & trust administration on Thursday, November 15, 2018. For many California residents, trusts can be an optimal method to achieve their estate planning goals while preserving privacy, as trusts transfer property outside the probate system. Settlors can develop a range of innovative methods to pass wealth to their beneficiaries. However, when creating a trust, it can be important to select the right fiduciary. The t...
BLOG
Approval for Social Security disability without a hearing
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in social security disability on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. Many Americans living in California apply for Social Security disability when they become unable to work. There are several stages of the application process. Most applications are approved after a hearing with an administrative law judge, but some are approved right away without a hearing.Approximately 30 percent of disability applicants are approved after their ...
Silent trusts can help people plan discreetly
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in trusts & trust administration on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Many people in California consider how they can best protect their assets now and provide for their families in the future. Trusts provide important mechanisms not only to pass on wealth between generations without relying on the probate system but also to realize significant tax savings during a person's life. Therefore, many people wish to create trusts to pro...
Silent trusts provide discreet asset management options
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in trusts & trust administration on Monday, November 5, 2018. Wealthy people in California may want to ensure that they can pass on significant assets to their children or other loved ones. However, many people may not want to disclose their plans early on, especially if they have many years left to live and want to benefit from tax as well as estate planning. In addition, their children may be quite young, and parents may ...
Parents can plan for their children's future today
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in trusts & trust administration on Friday, November 2, 2018. Parents in California may have an interest in establishing a legacy for themselves long after they depart this world. One way to do that is to ensure that their children have the money needed for a quality education. This goal may be accomplished by using a trust or by investing in a 529 plan. Before creating a trust, it is important for a parent to know what his...
Applying for disability with no medical records
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in social security disability on Friday, November 2, 2018. California residents who are seeking disability benefits from the Social Security Administration are not required to have medical records on hand to file or qualify for disability. However, to make a determination about an applicant's benefits, disability examiners will need to have medical history treatment notes. For those who don't have the financial resources to...
Preserving generational wealth is a worthy goal
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Wednesday, October 24, 2018. "Wealth is the ability to fully experience life," according to transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau. While that may certainly be true, most will agree that one can experience more of life if they have the assets and resources to do so.If you are concerned with not just your own estate planning but about preserving generational wealth, the time to begin is immediately. Without the right stewardship,...
VA outreach for underserved veterans
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in veterans' benefits on Wednesday, October 24, 2018. Veterans in California who were other-than-honorably discharged usually do not qualify for VA benefits. These veterans often need help for trauma related to their service, and suicide and substance abuse is common in this group. The VA has started a new program to allow these veterans to come to the VA for mental health care.The VA reports that 115 veterans have used the...
Reviewing trusts can keep them up to date
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in trusts & trust administration on Monday, October 22, 2018. For many California families, trusts are an important tool to transfer wealth from one generation to another. They can be used to minimize the impact of probate, keep wealth transfers out of public view and even provide tax savings. However, it can be important for people with trusts to review them regularly to make sure that their documents and plans meet their ...
Estate planning and philanthropy
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in trusts & trust administration on Friday, October 19, 2018. Even though philanthropy is frequently used as part of a tax-saving strategy, people in California can also benefit from the charitable giving in ways that are related to starting and maintaining a legacy, enjoying personal fulfillment and forming a connection with future generations. There are certain steps individuals should take to make sure that the philanthr...