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 »
Posts Categorized: Medi-Cal Planning
Financial Help for Care at Home: the IHSS Program
Q. Our 90 year-old mother is frail but wishes to remain at home. She has limited financial resources, so my sister is living with her and providing care without pay. Are there any government programs that might help us hire a caregiver and give my sister some relief? A. Yes. There are a number of… Read More »
Unique Long-Term Care Policy Offers Asset Protection
Q. While shopping for long-term care insurance, I heard something about a special kind of policy that offers asset protection by coordinating with Medi-Cal. Do you know anything about that? A. Yes, you refer to the California Long-Term Care Partnership Plan. California was one of the first states in the country to put together a… Read More »
Can I Use My Father’s POA to Help Him Qualify for Medi-Cal?
Q. My father is in a nursing home and could really use a Medi-Cal subsidy to help with the cost, which is running about $8,500 per month. He has dementia and cannot manage his own finances. Years ago he signed a Power Of Attorney naming me as his agent. Can I use it to make… Read More »
Handling Legal Affairs When Your Spouse Can’t Sign
Q. My husband suffers from dementia and we have significant expenses for care in the home. In order to help with these expenses, I’ve been thinking about selling our vacation property which we no longer use or cashing in one of his annuities. I would also like to set up a Living Trust and make… Read More »
Alameda County Judge Orders State to Speed Up Medi-Cal Decisions
Q. About 6 months ago, I applied for Medi-Cal to help with my husband’s ongoing nursing home bill, and we are still waiting for a decision. I keep calling Medi-Cal, but nothing happens. The nursing home has been patient, but I do not think they can wait forever. Is there anything I can do? A…. Read More »
Family Caregiver Agreements: A Creative Solution To The Elder Care Dilemma
Q. My husband has become quite frail and needs care on a daily basis. To enable us to continue to live in our home together, our daughter has been assisting with his care on a daily basis and has switched to part-time at her own job in order to help. Our other children live out… Read More »
Medi-Cal May Reduce Its Claim for a Child Caregiver
Q. When Dad became unable to care for himself, I moved in with him and cared for him for as long as I could. When his care needs increased, we had to place him in a nursing home. He lived there about a year, on a Medi-Cal subsidy, before he passed. Recently, I received a… Read More »
Does My Trust Contain A ‘Poison Pill’ ?
Q. In previous articles you have written about the option of seeking a Medi-Cal subsidy to help pay for the cost of nursing home care if that need arises. I have a Living Trust. Are there provisions that I should include, or some that I should avoid, in order to facilitate Medi-Cal qualification down the… Read More »
Helping Parents With A Private Reverse Mortgage
Q. My parents are in their 80’s and could use some financial help to remain in their home. Fortunately, I am in a position to help, but my parents are reluctant to accept gifts. I heard something about a family loan that works like a reverse mortgage. Do you know anything about this? A. Yes…. Read More »