If you are reaching retirement age or will in the near future, protecting your finances against unexpected expenses and the possibility of needing long-term care are essential parts of any retirement and estate plan. But what you may not realize is that you will also need to protect yourself against the possibility that someone out there will try to steal, rob, or scam you out of your money. America is aging rapidly, and it’s estimated that in less than 50 years there will be 90 million … [Read more...] about More Baby Boomers Being Scammed
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Commonly Asked Medi-Cal Planning Questions
For anyone considering using Medi-Cal in Californi, to pay for the expenses associated with long-term care, there are several factors you need to consider. While an experienced and qualified elder law attorney can help you assess whether a Medi-Cal plan is right for your needs and guide you through the process of creating such a plan, here are some commonly asked questions about Medi-Cal planning. Question 1. How do I qualify for Medi-Cal? It can be very complicated, but it basically boils … [Read more...] about Commonly Asked Medi-Cal Planning Questions
Your Summer Vacation and Your Estate Plan
If you are looking forward to your summer vacation, you might want to set aside some time to devote to your estate planning efforts as you create your vacation to-do list. A good estate plan is something everyone needs, as well as something you need to monitor regularly. If you are making plans for summer vacation, here are some simple things you can do to help you with your state planning efforts. 1-to-1 Keep track of how much time you spend on planning your vacation. If you don’t have an … [Read more...] about Your Summer Vacation and Your Estate Plan
Don’t Make These Medi-Cal Mistakes
A good Medi-Cal Long Term Care plan is one that can allow you or your spouse to use Medi-Cal to pay for the costs associated with nursing home care. While an experienced and qualified elder law attorney will be able to tell you what you need to do to create an effective plan, here are some common misconceptions about Medicaid that you shouldn’t buy into. I can’t use Medicaid because I’ve already begun paying privately. Even if you weren’t able to qualify for Medi-Cal when you first applied, … [Read more...] about Don’t Make These Medi-Cal Mistakes
Digital Estate Planning: 3 Basic Steps You Can Take Now
As the Internet becomes more ingrained in our daily lives, estate planning attorneys around the country are advising clients to ensure that they devote some time to dealing with digital estate planning issues. Any time you have e-mail accounts, online bank accounts, social media profiles, or anything computer and Internet related, you will want to create a digital estate plan so these assets are not forgotten about what it comes time to settle your estate. Here are three basic steps you can take … [Read more...] about Digital Estate Planning: 3 Basic Steps You Can Take Now
Some Common Misperceptions About Living Trusts
A living trust, also called a revocable living trust or an inter vivos trust, gives you the ability to make post-death property transfers much more easily than you would if that property had to go through probate. While living trusts also allow for other benefits, there are many commonly held misperceptions about these devices floating around out there. Here is a quick list of some of the more commonly believed living trust myths. Because I have a living trust I won’t have to pay estate … [Read more...] about Some Common Misperceptions About Living Trusts
Your Living Trust and Your Trustee – 3 Options
Many people in California choose to create a living trust as one of the primary tools in their estate plans. While these trusts offer excellent benefits, you must be certain that you choose the right trustee for your needs. There are several different types of trustees available to you, and you should evaluate each option before you make your final choice. Yourself You can act as your own trustee when you create a revocable living trust. In order to be a trustee you must be mentally sound, … [Read more...] about Your Living Trust and Your Trustee – 3 Options
Why Middle Class Families Need an Estate Plan
If you’ve read anything about the estate tax under the new Tax Law, you probably know that it won’t apply to you as an individual unless you have more than $5.25 million. If you are a married couple, your estate has to be larger than $10.5 million before you even begin worrying about having to pay an estate tax. So if the estate tax exemption limit is so high, do middle-class families need an estate plan? Absolutely. And here are three reasons why. Guaranteeing Inheritances Estate planning … [Read more...] about Why Middle Class Families Need an Estate Plan
Using a Living Trust in Emergencies
You may know that living trusts provide the benefit of being able to almost completely avoid the requirement that your property pass through probate before your inheritors receive it, but living trusts also offer you the opportunity to ensure that your property is properly managed should something happen to you. Like a power of attorney, you can use a living trust to have someone manage your property if you are suddenly injured, fall ill, or otherwise rendered incapacitated. Here’s how it … [Read more...] about Using a Living Trust in Emergencies
Boomers Leaving, and Selling, Their Businesses
While many baby boomers have chosen to stay in the workforce longer, often because they don’t have the money to retire yet, others are choosing to get out while the economy is doing reasonably well. This is especially true of baby boomers with small businesses. A new survey from Pepperdine University shows that retirement was the number one reason why the sale of businesses increased dramatically from 2012 to 2013. One study shows that there was a 56% rise in the sale of businesses during the … [Read more...] about Boomers Leaving, and Selling, Their Businesses
