Q. A while back you wrote an article advising that the obligation to repay Medi-Cal for benefits received during life changed as of January 1, 2017. Does that mean that we no longer need to include Medi-Cal planning powers in our estate planning documents. A. Not at all. While the rules requiring “payback” to Medi-Cal… Read More »
Blog Posts Page 18
New Law: You May Now Give Your Fiduciary Post-Mortem Access To Your Social Media Accounts
Q. I am a frequent user of Facebook and Twitter, and I sometimes wonder what would happen to my accounts upon my death. Would my family be able to access my posts? A. Under a new California law that went into effect January 1, 2017, the answer is “yes”, provided that you take proactive steps… Read More »
Watch Out For Mistakes in the List of Doctors Covered by Your Medicare Advantage Plan
Q. My wife and I are covered by a Medicare Advantage Plan, but we often find that doctors listed in our plan’s directory turn out not be in the Plan. This makes it difficult for us to rely upon the list to seek care from doctors in the network. Any comment upon this? A. Yes,… Read More »
Claiming a Tax Deduction for Long-Term Care Insurance Premiums.
Q. Tax day is coming soon and I wonder if I can claim a tax deduction for my Long Term Care Insurance Premiums paid during this past year? A. Depending upon your income and age, the answer may very well be ‘yes’, at least as to a portion of your premiums paid. Here’s the… Read More »
Family Loans: Avoid Running Afoul of IRS Rules
Q. My wife and I want to make a loan to our son to help him buy a home. We are really not interested in charging interest and we might even forgive the loan in our Wills. Are there any tax implications of which we should be aware? A. Yes, there are. Concerns regarding intra-family… Read More »
A New Year’s Resolution
Q. My wife and I created our estate planning documents about 10 years ago and we really have not even looked at them since. Do you have any thoughts about when we should consider updating them? A. Yes, I do. I would tie a review and update into a New Year’s Resolution. Many of us… Read More »
New Law Empowers the Disabled Under Age 65 to Create Their Own Special Needs Trust
Q. I hear that President Obama just signed a new law that makes it easier for disabled persons to create their own Special Needs Trust. Do you know anything about this? A. Yes. With strong bipartisan support, just last week President Obama signed a comprehensive piece of legislation called the 21st Century Cures Act, primarily… Read More »
Unmarried Partners Should Give Estate Planning Top Priority
Q. My partner and I have been in a Non Marital relationship for approximately 10 years. Unfortunately, she is showing signs of early dementia, and her children from her former marriage are trying to take over her financial and personal life in a manner which is not in her best interest. We do not have… Read More »
Your Rights Upon Hospital Discharge
Q. My husband was recently admitted to the hospital following a stroke. The hospital now wants to discharge him in two days, and I believe he needs to remain longer. What are our rights? We are both on Medicare. A. Unfortunately, hospitals have a strong financial incentive to discharge Medicare patients as soon as possible…. Read More »
How To Assist Physically Impaired Persons Sign Legal Documents
Q. My husband suffered a stroke and is essentially paralyzed. I need him to sign a Power Of Attorney so that I can take care of our financial affairs. Is there any way to do this? A. Yes. Where a person has sufficient mental capacity to understand the nature of the document he or she… Read More »