On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Friday, October 14, 2016. Retirement is just around the corner and while you think you're ready, you might be surprised at how much you still have left to do. You'll need to be 62 before you can even consider Social Security benefits and over the next 10 years, your situation can drastically change. Before you head off into retirement, consider these last minute tips:Create an Estate PlanToo many people assume that estate plann...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Wednesday, July 6, 2016. On June 27, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a bill that limits the state's seizure of assets from the estates of low-income residents ages 55 to 64. This is a good thing. But note that while this is a positive thing, estate recovery is still in effect. After age 65, any money spent on long-term care is still going to be added to your "tab". The gentleman in this linked article is relieved to hear o...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Monday, May 2, 2016. Prince and Estate Planning -- What We Can LearnPrince passed away without any estate planning done. No trust or will. $300 million dollar estate.We wanted to share this article with you from Forbes.com because whether you have $300 million dollars, $300,000, or just a house you want to pass along to your family -- probate is waiting. Prince was a unique situation because he did not have any children or a sp...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Friday, April 15, 2016. You already know how you want your assets distributed and you have even discussed it with your heirs, but discussing it doesn't make it legal. If you don't create an estate plan, your heirs are free to do what they will, but also they fall victim to taxes, government fees, etc.If you're putting off estate planning, you should consider these common ways you'll lose most - if not all - of your estate.Asset...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Friday, March 25, 2016. If you're considering a living trust or revocable living trust, review these common questions and answers to help you better understand how they work and whether or not it's right for you:Can I be my own trustee?You can. As long as you're competent enough and can manage your finances effectively, you can serve as your own trustee. Most people opt for this and if you're married, your spouse can be your co...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Friday, March 11, 2016. When a person passes away, you assume they're safe from any wrongdoing, but you would be wrong. The number of identity theft cases against deceased individuals has grown substantially in the past few years. More family members are finding out their loved one's identity was stolen shortly after their death. While the estate won't be liable for the charges, it is a hassle that can still cost the family in ...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Wednesday, January 27, 2016. When you create an estate plan, the first question that will be on your mind is whom you should discuss your wishes with. Unfortunately, the answer isn't as simple as you might think.Keeping an Estate Plan SecretSome individuals feel that their estate plan is private; therefore they shouldn't have to share it with anyone. Some people do this to hide their net worth from family members and protect ag...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Friday, January 22, 2016. A Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) is a legal document in which you assign a family member or close friend to manage specified items. You can arrange to make someone your DPOA in the event that an unexpected circumstance arises in which you are not able to appoint someone - such as a concussion, coma, or Alzheimer's.If you have not planned ahead and assigned a DPOA, your family will have to undergo a l...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Friday, January 15, 2016. When you apply for Veteran's Aid, like any other assistance program, especially those run by a government entity, they are not just going to take you at your word. It is a red-tape process, and they will require documentation to verify a number of important pieces of information used to determine your eligibility. To speed up the process, avoiding any unnecessary delays, you should gather the following...
On behalf of The Elder and Disability Law Firm, APC on Tuesday, January 12, 2016. The 2011 American Time Use Survey (ATUS) collected information for the first time about provision of eldercare. It looked at the average time spent per day in various activities.There are 39.8 million civilian eldercare providers who do not work in an institution. These are unpaid caregivers who help someone over the age of 65. The majority of these providers are women.Most are younger than their char...
