Q. Our father appointed me as executor of his estate, and I want to distribute his personal possessions among the four of us children in a way that is fair. Any suggestions as how I might do this? A. Yes. I assume by your question that your father did not leave any specific direction in… Read More »
Blog Posts
Powers of Attorney Come in Many Forms
Q: My friends and I were recently discussing our estate plans, and the subject of Powers of Attorney came up. It seems that we have different understandings as to what they look like and how they can be used. Can you provide me with a short lesson which I can share with my friends? A. … Read More »
PACE Program Helps Senior Couples Live Together At Home
Q. My husband has become frail, and his doctor says he may need to go into a nursing home. However, neither of us is happy with that plan. I want to keep him home. Is there a program that might help us? A. Yes. The “Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly” (“PACE”) may… Read More »
Does Your Older Trust Need An Update?
Q. My wife and I had our Living Trust prepared back in the year 2001. I hear there have been changes in tax law since then which might affect us. Is it time to have our trust reviewed? A. Yes, Indeed!. When you created your own trust, the estate tax exemption was much smaller than… Read More »
New Law: Preserving Public Benefits For A Special Needs Child In Divorce
Q. Our daughter is going through a divorce. She has a 24 year old son (our Grandson) who has a disability and gets both SSI and Medi-Cal. She plans to seek child support from the father. We worry that the child support will reduce our Grandson’s SSI and possibly eliminate his Medi-Cal. Is there a… Read More »
What’s Involved in Administering a Trust?
Q. My father recently died. His home, bank accounts and other assets were held in a Living Trust. His financial advisor said we should now engage a lawyer to help with trust administration. What? I thought if you had a Living Trust that there was little or nothing to do following the death of the… Read More »
New SSI Rules Will Make It Easier For SSI Recipients To Avoid Benefit Reductions
Q. My wife and I have an adult son with a disability. He receives SSI and lives in our home and pays us a modest rent from his SSI benefit. We also help him with groceries. We report this to SSI. To date, our “assistance” to him has been deemed a subsidy by SSI, and… Read More »
The Reading of the Will
Q. My brother-in-law just died, and I expected the entire family to be invited to a formal reading of his will. So far, nothing has been set up. Does that sound right? A. Actually, yes it does. You have probably seen a number of old movies where, after a person’s death, his next of kin… Read More »
What Is a Life Estate Deed & When Might I Use One?
Q. My primary asset is my home, which I purchased about 35 years ago and now own free and clear. I would like to leave it to my son, but in a way that avoids the fuss of a probate or trust administration when I die. Is there some way to do this? A. Yes,… Read More »
The Benefits of Probate: Homestead and Family Allowance
Q: My husband just passed away. He did not have a Will or Trust, and our home was his separate property from his prior marriage. His son is now anxious to sell the home in order to receive his inheritance share, but that would force me out of the home with nowhere to go. Do… Read More »
Can Beneficiaries Be Changed After Death?
Q. My mother just died, and her will leaves her estate equally to us three children. I am fairly well-off, but my two brothers are not quite as fortunate. Is there a way that I can redirect some or all of my share to them in a tax efficient way? A. The answer may very… Read More »