Category Archives: Estate Planning in California

Content related to estate planning in California.

Choosing an Assisted Living Facility for a Loved One With Dementia

When choosing an assisted living facility for a loved one who suffers from dementia, certain things should be taken into account regarding the facility. More and more assisted living facilities can now accommodate residents with various levels of dementia. Some facilities have separate wings or dementia units. I have visited many assisted living facilities, and have many clients with […]

Veterans Benefits For The Surviving Spouse

The surviving spouse of a wartime Veteran may be eligible for the VA Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit. This benefit can help pay the costs of in home care, board and care and assisted living facilities for the surviving spouse. We must be able to show that the surviving spouse had been married to the Veteran for at least one […]

Update The Language In Your Estate Planning Documents for Asset Protection

The language used in estate planning documents for asset protection and government benefits planning for the older client, is very different from the language used in regular estate planning documents. In fact, I would say that 90% or more of all revocable living trusts and financial durable powers of attorney do not contain the right […]

Plan For Medi-Cal And VA At The Same Time

When we plan for the VA Aid and Attendance Pension benefit, we plan for Medi-Cal at the same time. Medi-Cal and the VA benefit are both asset and income based programs. Medi-Cal pays for the costs of skilled nursing facilities, minus the share of cost paid by the recipient. The VA benefit can help pay […]

Elder Abuse in California

The California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 15610.07 defines elder abuse as follows: “Abuse of an elder or a dependent adult” means either of the following: (a) Physical abuse, neglect, financial abuse, abandonment, isolation, abduction, or other treatment with resulting physical harm or pain or mental suffering. (b) The deprivation by a care custodian of […]

Using The Final Expense Trust in Medi-Cal Planning

http://lawyoung.byoaudio.com/files/media/7452d421-cf4f-8f57-c8f8-e1ee605d10e0.mp3

9 Steps to Peace of Mind for the Parkinson’s Family

 Parkinson’s Disease has affected all kinds of people. Pope John Paul II. Michael J. Fox. Even Hitler. But you don’t need to be advanced in age or even genetically predisposed to suffer from Parkinson’s Disease. It’s not inher­ited. And it’s not just confined to seniors. But most people tend to suffer in isolation due to the […]

Elder Law: Veterans Affairs Aid & Attendance Improved Pension Benefit:

In the seminars presented by Walnut Creek elder law attorney Michael J. Young, www.WalnutCreekElderLaw.com, he talks about the Veterans Affairs Aid & Attendance Improved Pension Benefit, which is paid to wartime veterans or to their surviving spouses. The program is asset and income based, as is Medi-Cal. However, the two programs have different qualification rules. The […]

Do I have to sell my home to go on Medi-Cal and will they take it after I die?

We receive calls from people asking us if they need to sell their home in order to qualify for Medi-Cal. They also ask us if the State will take their home after they die, if they have been on Medi-Cal. Your home is generally an exempt asset for qualification for Medi-Cal. You confirm to Medi-Cal that you have an intent to […]

Life Insurance and Medi-Cal

When we interview clients at the Law Offices of Michael J. Young, www.WalnutCreekElderLaw.com, regarding Medi-Cal qualification, we always ask if the Medi-Cal applicant owns any life insurance policies. For Medi-Cal qualification, the applicant can own any amount of term life insurance. As a result, term life insurance is an excluded asset for qualification. However, if the applicant owns whole […]