A Trustee’s Step-by-Step Guide for Northern California Families The death of a trust settlor triggers immediate legal responsibility. Successor trustees step into a fiduciary role governed by California law and the written terms of the trust. California Trust Administration often involves high-value real estate, significant investment portfolios, and complex family structures. Proper administration protects beneficiaries, preserves […]
Author Archives: Walnut Creek Elder Law
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Jan
Jan
How Proper Planning Can Protect Your Family and Your Home If you own real estate in California, proper estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family. Without the right planning in place, your home and other assets may be subject to probate, a court-supervised process that can […]
13
Jan
Jan
Trust Administration After a Death: What Trustees Need to Know When a loved one passes away, families are often left with more questions than answers. If you have been named as a trustee, you may suddenly find yourself responsible for legal, financial, and administrative tasks you have never handled before. Trust administration does not need […]
09
Dec
Dec
The remote model for estate planning benefits adult children who work full time, caregivers who cannot easily leave a parent, and individuals who prefer digital communication. Every meeting is scheduled through my secure online calendar, giving clients maximum flexibility and control.
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Nov
Nov
The Power to “De-Fund” the Trust: In some cases, the best strategy might be to pull assets out of your own trust and move them elsewhere. A standard trust is designed to hold assets, not give them away. Your trustee needs the specific power to do this for asset protection purposes.
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Oct
Oct
Why You Should Appoint a Co-Trustee Before Memory Fails Dear Clients and Friends, We often realize in hindsight the precise moment when a small issue became a serious problem. We say that “Hindsight is 20/20.” This statement holds exceptional truth when we look back at the beginning of dementia. It also comes into play with […]
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Sep
Sep
While a trust avoids the formal probate creditor process, trustees still need to address legitimate debts. An attorney can advise on how to properly handle creditor notices and claims, protecting trust assets from invalid or excessive demands.
Medi-Cal attorney, Medi-Cal Attorney Walnut Creek, Medi-Cal Attorney Walnut Creek CA, Medi-Cal Qualification
Medi-Cal Changes Starting January 1, 2026
12
Sep
Sep
For a period, Medi-Cal for long-term care did not have an asset limit, a welcome change that provided peace of mind for many Californians. However, that era is ending. The state is reinstating its asset test, which means the amount of your savings and property will again determine your eligibility for this critical benefit.
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Aug
Aug
Beyond financial strategy, an estate plan provides the necessary legal framework for care decisions. A Durable Power of Attorney for Finances allows a trusted family member to manage financial affairs when a person can no longer do so. An Advance Healthcare Directive appoints a healthcare agent who can make medical decisions on their behalf, ensuring their wishes are honored. Without these documents, a family may be forced to seek a costly and time-consuming court conservatorship.
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Aug
Aug
Many individuals with special needs rely on government benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medi-Cal. These programs have strict income and asset limits. If your loved one receives an inheritance, it could immediately push them over these limits. The result? They lose their essential benefits. The money you intended to help them now forces them to “spend down” their inheritance just to requalify. It’s a heartbreaking and entirely avoidable situation. This is precisely the problem a Special Needs Trust solves.