Category Archives: Elder Law Attorney Walnut Creek

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. 

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 […]

Medi-Cal Treatment of Reverse Mortgages

Reverse mortgage loans are designed for homeowners who are 62 years of age or older, and who have a substantial amount of equity in their homes. The amount of equity is usually the difference between the fair market appraised value of your property, and the amount due on existing mortgages. As the borrower under a […]

Medi-Cal Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) As of January 1, 2018

When one spouse applies for Medi-Cal, the state will look at the assets of both spouses for qualification of the ill spouse. As of January 1, 2018, the community spouse, also known as the “at-home” spouse, or the “well spouse”, may retain up to $123,600 in liquid assets. The ill spouse cannot have more than […]

Have You Checked In On Your Older Loved One Lately? “Driving”

Have you checked in on your older in-laws and parents lately? The holiday season affords a good opportunity for you to see them and observe how they are doing. Here are a few things you should consider when you see them. Driving If your older loved one is still driving, find an excuse to ride […]

Preventing Financial Elder Abuse – Wait Three Days Before Signing Anything

How to Prevent Financial Elder Abuse – Wait Three Days Before Signing Anything: When I was a child and I earned some money, a hole would immediately start burning in my pocket. I would be excited and tell my mother what I wanted to buy with the money. She would tell me to think about […]

Preventing Financial Elder Abuse-Personal Relationships

One red flag that we have seen showing possible elder abuse is exhibited by family members who are overly zealous about preserving the money that is being spent for the older person’s care. We have seen family members who are “caring” for an older person, refuse to spend sufficient funds for the older person’ care. […]

Prevent Financial Abuse: Financial & Estate Planning

Financial and Estate Planning: One of the best ways to prevent financial elder abuse, is to make sure that you know what your financial assets are at all times. You should be in contact with your financial advisor on a regular basis to determine whether there have been any changes to your accounts. Do not […]