On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in trusts & trust administration on Monday, September 18, 2017. In California, more and more people are choosing to set up trusts as part of their estate plans. Today, many new types of trusts are available, and they are much more complex. Modern trusts may have portfolios that include far more than the traditional stocks, bonds and real estate. Some trusts might include businesses, collectibles, art, commodities and minera...
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The importance of naming the right successor trustees
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in trusts & trust administration on Tuesday, September 12, 2017. California residents who are establishing living trusts will need to determine who to select to serve as their successor trustees. There are several considerations that they should make before doing so.When people establish living trusts, they normally serve as the initial trustees. After they pass away, the role will pass to their spouses if they are married ...
Different trust assets can raise different issues
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in trusts & trust administration on Thursday, September 7, 2017. Among the tools individuals sometimes use in estate planning and other types of planning are trusts. One of the ways trusts vary from one another is in what assets they contain. There are a range of different types of assets a person could opt to put into a trust.What assets a trust contains can have many impacts. This includes what particular issues come up i...
How Social Security disability claims are processed
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in social security disability on Tuesday, September 5, 2017. California residents who can no longer work due to a medical condition may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits. But understanding if an illness, injury or simply old age makes someone entitled to payments can be confusing. The Social Security Administration uses a procedure to determine if a person is entitled to payment of benefits that involves ce...
Is your loved one ready for an assisted living center?
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in long term care planning on Thursday, August 31, 2017. As your loved ones get older, several difficult conversations may have to take place if you see that they are not able to make important life decisions on their own. Indeed, elderly loved ones may not feel comfortable giving up the autonomy and freedoms they have enjoyed for most of their lives. But as their faculties continue to erode, they may need help in maintaini...
Preserving assets and leaving legacies takes preparation
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC posted in blog on Tuesday, August 29, 2017. If you and your spouse have amassed significant assets and/or businesses during your lifetimes, you want to preserve them for future generations instead of letting the government erode them through taxes and other depreciation.Below are some vital reasons for you to work closely with your estate planning attorney to preserve your hard-earned assets. Leaving your surviving spouse with suf...
Protecting Your Legacy Of Service: Identifying Important Objects
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Monday, August 21, 2017. After Albert Frost passed away on January 14, 2017, the Coast Guard veteran left behind a legacy of service and memories for his family. While going through his belongings, an error led to the donation of a prized possession to the local Goodwill charity store. The prized possession was a ceremonial key to the city awarded to "Commander Albert Frost, USCGC Unimak, Washington, D.C. July 26, 1957." This k...
Cautionary Tales: Update Your Beneficiary Designations
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Monday, August 21, 2017. An often-overlooked consideration in estate planning is reviewing beneficiary designations on a frequent basis. Common instruments that require a beneficiary designation include: Life insurance policies Bank accounts Brokerage firm accounts Retirement accounts Pension plans After major life events, such as a divorce or death of a family member, beneficiary designations should be revisited and reevaluate...
Tips for discussing estate planning with your elderly parents
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Monday, August 21, 2017. If you have concerns about your parents' estate plan, there is no time to waste. You should bring this topic to the forefront, as this will allow you to clear the air and help them understand the importance of making a few key decisions.Here are some of the many tips you can follow to more easily discuss estate planning with your elderly parents: Schedule a time to talk. You don't want to bring up this ...
How Will Your Final Wishes Become Reality?
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Monday, July 10, 2017. When you start to plan your estate in earnest you would do well to consider the details that must be attended to after you pass away. Unless the situation is very simple there are going to be some considerable tasks that must be undertaken by the individual or individuals that you choose to administer the estate.Should you decide to use a last will to elucidate your final wishes the person who will be cha...