by Christine | Oct 19, 2015 | Estate Planning, Estates |
When it comes to battles over personal possessions in estate matters, it is rarely because those involved intend to liquidate the items for revenue. Usually, the fight is rooted in an emotional struggle and centers on long-standing hurts and resentments. That’s likely...
by Christine | Oct 16, 2015 | Estate Tax |
The estate tax, enacted 100 years ago on September 8, 1915, when revenue was needed to fight a war, is a polarizing tax with enemies and friends on both sides of a big divide. One would think that any tax or law that makes it to the hundred year mark must be a good...
by Christine | Oct 15, 2015 | Wills |
The European Union has put into effect new rules on inheritance laws that allow people to select which country’s laws they want to have applied to their wills. Americans who own property in the EU that they wish to pass on through their estate need to prepare for this...
by Christine | Oct 14, 2015 | Uncategorized |
The brochures look more like travel adventure materials than information for long term care facilities for frail and cognitively impaired seniors. Scenic mountain views and adobe style mansions with gourmet chefs and a schedule of daily activities is not what most of...
by Christine | Oct 13, 2015 | Dementia, Estate Planning |
When a loved one has Alzheimer’s, advanced planning for legal and financial matters becomes even more important than in day-to-day estate planning. Ideally, planning well in advance, before the disease has taken a toll on the person’s cognitive abilities, may give...
by Christine | Oct 13, 2015 | Elder Law, Estate Planning, Medi-Cal, Medi-Cal Long Term Care |
Let’s clarify the difference between estate planning and elder law. Estate planning focuses mainly on transferring assets after death, and elder law addresses issues about caring for someone who needs, or may need, long term care. In many circumstances, these two...
by Christine | Oct 12, 2015 | Estate Planning, Litigation Probate |
There is a statue of limitation on every civil action in the United States. This refers to a restriction of the number of years from the time an action takes place until it can be prosecuted through the courts. Failure to act in a timely manner cost one family...
by Christine | Oct 9, 2015 | Estate Planning |
If you expect to inherit assets from a successful parent, hope that they do not have a double life that involves criminal behavior. Property used to commit a crime or assets purchased with the profits of a criminal act are subject to civil forfeiture by government...
by Christine | Oct 8, 2015 | Blended Families, Estate Planning |
When people remarry, the dynamics between children and step-parents is never over, even after one of the spouses has passed away. In cases when one spouse was a millionaire, a challenge to the will is almost expected. But one case in New York has an unexpected twist....
by Christine | Oct 7, 2015 | Elder Abuse, Estate Planning, Inheritance |
It’s a sad truth that some of the oldest scams around are still around because they work. They work because people are blinded by the possibility of quickly and easily obtaining huge amounts of money. The best way to protect yourself from these scams is to know that...
