by Christine Brown | Jan 24, 2023 | Estate Planning
Designating your estate as the beneficiary of your IRA might make sense to you. It’s simpler than choosing one or several loved ones as beneficiaries. It can also prevent future arguments and lawsuits among your family since you’re not naming one person over...
by Christine Brown | Jan 17, 2023 | Estate Planning
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects the nerve cells that control voluntary muscles, eventually leading to paralysis. It prevents people from talking, walking, and, eventually, breathing. Typically, patients diagnosed...
by Christine Brown | Jan 9, 2023 | Estate Planning, Funeral Planning, Probate
A funeral is a traditional method of honoring a person’s life after death. However, some people don’t feel comfortable having one. Choosing not to have a funeral is entirely acceptable. Your loved ones don’t have to attend the sad event if you want...
by Christine Brown | Dec 28, 2022 | Elder Care, Elder Law, Estate Tax Returns, Long Term Care
You might have heard the term “community spouse” and wondered what it means. Essentially, if one spouse receives long-term care in a nursing home, the spouse living outside the nursing home is considered the community spouse. Here, our legal team explains why...
by Christine Brown | Dec 20, 2022 | Special Needs, Special Needs Planning, Special Needs Trusts
Individuals who have disabilities often require government assistance to cover the costs of professional support and care. However, programs such as Medicaid and Supplementary Security Income (SSI) are means-tested, so eligibility is determined based on an...
by Christine Brown | Dec 15, 2022 | Estate Planning
Outlining your final wishes is essential to ensure that your assets are passed to their intended recipients as smoothly as possible after you die. If you have done the diligent work of putting your estate plan into place, you may believe that you have completed all...
by Christine Brown | Dec 9, 2022 | Elder Care, Elder Law
As your parent grows older, you may wonder what would happen if they could no longer make sound decisions on their own. Often, gaining power of attorney for your parent is the most straightforward way to ensure their best interests are protected. Many older adults...
by Christine Brown | Nov 30, 2022 | Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Portability
Federal estate tax law includes a provision called portability. This provision only applies to married couples. It allows the surviving spouse to use any part of their deceased spouse’s unused estate and gift tax exemption. Including portability in an estate plan...
by Christine Brown | Nov 18, 2022 | Estate Planning, Marriage, Prenuptial Agreement, Trusts
Some seniors don’t expect to remarry after a divorce or the death of a spouse. However, life is full of surprises. You could meet someone at any age, even during your retirement years. Many older adults bring various assets and debts into a new relationship. They...
by Christine Brown | Nov 10, 2022 | Estate Planning, Trusts
When creating a trust with a Long Beach trust lawyer, it is important to understand the specific roles involved. The grantor is the person who establishes a trust. The designated beneficiary is the person who receives the assets held in trust when the grantor dies....
