Tag Archives: dementia

Where are Mom’s Papers?

It is very important to know where your loved one’s papers are! We are always trying to accomplish elder care planning as early as possible, so that we can get all of our ducks in a row before memories fade.   Last week we helped a family whose elderly mother needed long term care planning. The father had died almost two years earlier, […]

The Importance of an “Elder Law” Durable Power of Attorney

     Does your Financial Durable Power of Attorney (financial DPA) contain asset protection and government benefits qualification language? It probably does not, unless it was prepared by an elder law attorney. If you lose mental capacity, your spouse or children may be prevented from gifting your assets to themselves, in order to help you qualify for […]

2012 CA Medi-Cal Quick Reference Guide

The following is our 2012 CA Medi-Cal Quick Reference Guide. Please refer to our website, http://www.WalnutCreekElderLaw.com for a further explanation of Medi-Cal qualification requirements. 2012 CA Medi-Cal Quick Reference Guide Community Spouse Resource Allowance $113,640 This is the amount that the community, or (at home) well spouse can retain in liquid assets. This amount does not […]

Alzheimer’s Planning – Long Term Relationship

We do Alzheimer’s planning in our lawfirm. This type of long term care planning includes, in part, the preparation of estate planning documents. These specialized documents contain required, updated language for asset protection and government benefits planning regarding Medi-Cal and the VA Aid and Attendance Improved Pension Benefit. Part of the planning may also include asset protection of the home and monetary […]

Some Tips On Finding a Nursing Home

When finding a nursing home for your loved one is necessary, it is important to decide what is important for him or her. Things such as location, religious orientation and  access to hobbies should be considered. You should request brochures from several facilities you are interested in, and you should tour several of the the facilities. […]

Swimming With Grandchildren Without A Pool!

I can’t help myself talking about our grandkids, at least one more time. My wife and I have two grandchildren, a boy 4 and a girl 2 ½. Both kids “stayed over” a couple of weekends ago. They arrived on Saturday morning with their little suitcases packed, which included their swimsuits. They wanted to swim […]

My Grandchildren are Too Cute!

When I was younger and people started to talk about their grandchildren, I would practically plug my ears. Now that we have two grandchildren, ages 4 and 2, I am the one who can’t stop talking about them. So, since I can’t stop myself, I must tell you a story about my granddaughter, Edie. She will be […]

Don’t Wait Too Long To Update Trust & Fin. DPA

Most (perhaps 99%) of all revocable living trusts and financial durable powers of attorney are defective for asset protection and government benefits planning, when incapacity occurs.   For the older client, we become focused on how we will pay for in-home care,  board-and-care, assisted living facilities and skilled nursing home costs. We are concerned about […]

What Happens If You Don’t Die?

Most estate planning documents are prepared for what happens when we die. They are not prepared for what happens if we don’t die. With regard to the trust, if one spouse dies, for instance, everything goes to the other spouse. When the second spouse dies, everything goes to the children. During the lives of the […]

Some Differences Between Medicaid and Medi-Cal

     Medicare is a Federal health insurance program. Social Security funds are used to pay the costs of the program. Individuals who are over the age of 65, and who have made Social Secuirty contributions during their working lives are entitled to benefits. Part A of Medicare pays for hospitalization, hospice and some health care. It also […]