Hoarding and Dementia: Navigating Tough Estate Planning Waters

hoarding a type of mental disorder. A bunch of unnecessary things in the room. Man collects garbage around him. Created with Generative AI technology.

Planning for the future of an aging loved one is always a delicate task. However, it becomes even more complex when facing two challenging realities: hoarding and dementia. This combination presents unique hurdles in managing their belongings and ensuring their well-being. However, with the right approach and guidance, families can navigate these challenging waters and […]

Stepping into Safety: Fall Prevention Tips for Older Adults

Businessman slipping and falling from a banana peel

As we age, the fear of falling becomes a prevalent concern. And with good reason. According to the CDC, one in four older adults experiences a fall each year, with consequences ranging from bruises to debilitating injuries. But the good news is, falls are not inevitable. By taking proactive steps, fall prevention tips can help […]

New Alzheimer’s Disease Developments

While effective treatments are crucial, preventing Alzheimer’s altogether remains a desirable goal. Research focusing on lifestyle modifications and early intervention is gaining traction. Studies suggest that regular physical activity, a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and cognitive stimulation may play a role in reducing Alzheimer’s risk.

Unsung Heroes: A Tribute to the Dementia Caregivers

Assisting the Elderly in our Lives

But let’s not forget the toll this silent heroism takes. The caregiver, too, is human, susceptible to fatigue, loneliness, and the gnawing fear of the unknown. Societal pressures often add to the burden, leaving them feeling isolated and misunderstood. Yet, they persevere, finding solace in small victories, a shared smile, a moment of recognition, knowing that their love makes a world of difference in the life of their loved one.

Sleeplessness: What Worries Older People So They Can’t Sleep?

Sleep well concept. Sleeping mask with alarm clock, flat lat,top view.

An elder law estate planning attorney and a long term care financial planner can help you create a plan that meets your specific needs as you age. Worry and anxiety are common problems for older people. However, there are things you can do to cope with these problems and get a better night’s sleep. By following the tips in this blog post, you can improve your sleep quality and feel better overall. 

Huntington’s Disease in Estate and Financial Planning

The cost of care can be significant. HD patients often require long-term care, which can be very expensive. That’s why estate planning and financial planning are so important for people with HD and their families. Make sure the court distributes assets according to your wishes after you die. Financial planning can help ensure that you have the financial resources you need to pay for your care.

Gift Card Scams: How to Help Older Adults Avoid Them

Once the scammer has the gift card number and PIN number, they can use the gift card to purchase goods and services online or in stores. Gift cards are difficult to trace, so it is often difficult for victims to get their money back.

Is It Alzheimer’s or Multi-Infarct Dementia?

dementia alzheimer's MID

The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and MID can be challenging, as there is no single test that can definitively diagnose either condition. Doctors will typically use a combination of tests, including a physical exam, a neurological exam, and neuropsychological testing, to make a diagnosis.

Alzheimer’s Disease & The 90-Second Rule

Stress and migraine seizure, alzheimer and epilepsy disorder, brain waves, mental health concept, generative AI used for brain

With the 90-second rule, if a dementia patient answers two or more of these questions incorrectly, they may be referred for further testing, such as a brain MRI or PET scan. These tests can help to rule out other possible causes of dementia, such as vascular dementia or Lewy body dementia.

Parkinson’s Disease (Adapted from Michael J. Young’s Parkinson’s Disease Legal Survival Guide)

parkinson's disease text write on blackboard

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurological disorder that affects movement. PD results from the loss of nerve cells in a part of the brain called the Substantia Nigra. These cells produce a chemical called dopamine, which helps control movement. When these cells die, the brain fails to produce enough dopamine. As a result, this leads […]

Dementia: Estate Planning and Care Plan

An estate plan typically includes a revocable living trust, financial power of attorney, and a health directive to physicians. The revocable living trust will specify how your assets will be distributed after you die. The financial power of attorney is a legal document that gives someone else the authority to make financial decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself. A health care directive to physicians is a legal document that gives someone else the authority to make decisions about your health care if you are unable to do so yourself.

Caregiving: Navigating the Challenges

Caregiving requires a strategy to solve a myriad of medical and administrative problems. These tangible books help you start the caretaking journey by highlighting what’s most important, making everyone’s life a little easier. 

Celebrity Estates

Celebrity Last Will & Testament Mike Young

The wealthy hotel magnate, Leona Helmsley, aka the “Queen of Mean” inherited $5 billion from her husband Harry Helmsley when he died in 1997. Her will stipulated that $12 million be held in a trust fund for her dog (a Maltese named Trouble.)

California Probates: What You Need to Know

PROBATE court

Are Probate Court Records Public In California? In California probates, the public has access to probate court records. Contact the probate court clerk in any county where an attorney filed probate. Request to view the filed documents. For a fee, you can even obtain copies of filed documents from the clerk. Also, the last will […]

Probate of Your Home: The “Heggstad” Petition

How to avoid probate in a house

Transfer your home to a Revocable Living Trust (RLT) for several reasons. First, doing so will prevent probate of your home when you die. Another reason is that, as of January 1, 2017, if you die after collecting Medi-Cal, the state cannot pursue recovery against your home if it is in your RLT. In this […]

Estate Planning for Young Adults

Young Adults Estate Plan Documents

Many young adults believe they are too young to concern themselves with estate planning. While in their 20’s and 30’s they think they don’t own enough assets to constitute an estate. However, an estate is the total of everything you own – money, investments, real estate, vehicles, business interests, digital assets (including cryptocurrency), and other […]

Happy National Elder Law Month!

Elder Law Elderly on Will

An obstacle millions of California senior citizens may encounter is the need to qualify for Medi-Cal coverage. Through online resources, video seminars and in-person trainings, we educate clients and friends to navigate the somewhat confusing process of Medi-Cal qualification.

What Is A Pour-Over Will?

The probate court process could take almost a year finalize. But the goal is to obtain a court order. It is called a Pour-Over Will since you would “pour” the asset over into the RLT. The court would distribute the asset would from the trust to the beneficiaries. If the amount of the asset is less than $166,250, we could prepare a “California Small Estate Affidavit.” You would present the affidavit to the bank or financial institution. It authorizes the bank or financial institution to distribute the asset to the person making the affidavit.  

Asset Distribution & Beneficiary Selection

Beneficiary Asset Distribution

If your have children are minors, “separate share trusts” can fit into your RLT for each minor child. Make distributions from the separate share trusts to the minor child during his or her lifetime.

How to Start a California Probate

Court rules and requirements regarding probate procedure overwhelm people. However, probate courts often respond to these rules differently. Accordingly, the following information covers generalities about California probate. Please refrain from referring to them as a treatise. These guidelines offer an idea about what many probate courts require. Seek the advice of counsel before filing any […]

California Probate Costs

Court Case Probate

How much does probate cost in California? Filing a petition in probate court requires costs and fees. For example, out-of-pocket costs include the fee for filing the petition with the court. Other costs include publication fees and probate referee fees. Also, consider additional charges such as courier fees, court appearance fees, certified copies of court […]

What to Gather for a Probate Attorney

Probate Estate Planning

To prepare to meet with your probate attorney, gather documents and information regarding the decedent. So, the earlier you take these steps; the sooner probate proceedings will begin. After the county issues a death certificate, bring it with you. Thus, if they have not issued a death certificate, know the decedent’s date of death.   

What is Probate Court?

Assets held in “Joint Tenancy” should not require a probate. For instance, the title can be held by two individuals “as joint tenants.”

Helping Clients and Prospects During This Crazy Time!

Letter to My Clients

Let me first say that we hope all of you are doing well and keeping safe. Existing clients and prospects are calling, asking for help them NOW, in light of the present health crisis. Our answer is a resounding, “Yes we can!” Callers express their desire to complete estate planning documents as soon as possible. […]

Caring for the Vulnerable in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Senior Man COVID-19 Risk

Experts agree that “older adults” face the highest risk of infection and death relative to the coronavirus pandemic. But just who qualifies as “older?” According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), “older” means anyone who is currently 65 years of age or older. In fact, 8 out of 10 COVID-19 associated deaths […]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Reshaping Alzheimer’s Detection

AI ethics or AI Law concept. Developing AI codes of ethics. Compliance, regulation, standard , business policy and responsibility for guarding against unintended bias in machine learning algorithms.

Traditional cognitive tests are time-consuming and subjective. AI-powered cognitive assessments can administer shorter, adaptive tests and analyze performance with greater objectivity. This can improve accessibility and accuracy, leading to earlier diagnosis and intervention.