Q. My wife suffers from Parkinson’s and has been in a nursing home for some time. About a year ago, we put everything in my name so she could qualify for a Medi-Cal subsidy to help pay for her care. We currently have only simple wills which leave everything to the survivor of us, and… Read More »
Posts Categorized: Elder Law
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 »
Will Medi-Cal Pay for Assisted Living Care?
Q.I was obliged to move my wife into an Assisted Living Facility, where she now resides in the memory care unit. It costs almost $6,000 a month and I see our savings dwindling. If we qualify financially, will Medi-Cal help with the cost of her care? A. Maybe. Here’s is how it all works: Short… Read More »
New Law: Medi-Cal Dramatically Scales Back Estate Recovery
Q. My husband receives a Medi-Cal subsidy to help with his nursing home expense, and I have long worried about protecting our home from a later Medi-Cal “payback” claim. I heard there might be some changes coming. Do you know anything about this? A. Yes, indeed, there are big changes coming! Gov. Jerry Brown just signed… Read More »
Is Medi-Cal Planning Legal?
Q. My wife is being cared for in a nursing home and the cost is running about $9,500 per month. I see our life savings and financial security dwindling rapidly, and I am concerned about my own financial future. I was thinking about taking steps to qualify her for a Medi-Cal subsidy, but I wonder… Read More »
Action Plan After an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Q. My husband was just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but still seems to be generally okay. Are there legal steps we should take by way of planning for the future? A. Yes. Once you or loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it is important to take action to get your affairs in order. Here is… Read More »
Filial Responsibility: Are Children Responsible for Their Parents’ Care?
Q. My wife and I are concerned that our adult children might be held financially responsible for our care in the event we run out of our own resources. Our children are good kids, but they have their own financial responsibilities, including putting their own kids through college. Can you shed any light on this?… Read More »
Should We Sell Mom’s Home To Pay For Her Care?
Q. Our mother is in assisted living and may need to go into a nursing home soon. To raise money for her ongoing care, we are thinking of selling her home which is now vacant. Any thoughts as to whether that makes sense? A. Yes. In some cases, selling the home may be appropriate. However,… Read More »
New Transfer on Death Deed: An Alternative to a Living Trust?
Q. I hear that Governor Brown just signed a new law that makes it easier for a homeowner to transfer a home, on death, to his name beneficiaries without going through probate or creating a trust. Do you know more about this? A. Yes. The new law (AB 139) creates a Revocable Transfer on Death… Read More »
Does California Recognize the ‘Right to Die’ ? New Law Says “Yes”!
News Flash: On October 5, 2015, Governor Brown signed the End of Life Option Act. It authorizes “an adult who meets certain qualifications, and who has been determined by his or her attending physician to be suffering from a terminal disease, as defined, to make a request for a drug prescribed …. for the purpose of… Read More »