A serious health diagnosis can force some tasks—especially ones you’ve been putting off—to the top of the priority list. Santa Clara will lawyers know that estate planning is one of these tasks that’s often left for another day, as people don’t like to think about sickness or death when they are feeling well and of […]

Do you know what could happen to your assets if your spouse ever needs to go into a long-term care facility? There are a lot of misconceptions out there about Medi-Cal asset and income requirements, which is dangerous because getting any one of those requirements wrong can lead to a denial of Medi-Cal benefits. One […]

Most Santa Clara elder lawyers agree that Medicaid is one of the best programs provided by the government for senior citizens who need help paying for long-term care. Medi-Cal is a needs-based program with strict income and asset limits that must be followed; otherwise, seniors can face penalties if they do not meet those limits. […]

Now that we’ve left 2020 in hopes of a better 2021, Silicon Valley estate planning lawyers are encouraging their clients to reflect on legal changes that may have gone overlooked in the past year. Last January, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was rolling out. There was a lot of discussion […]

Dying intestate, or without a will, is unfortunately very common. If you die without a will, your property will go through a court process called probate and will ultimately be distributed according to California’s intestacy laws. Here are some common events that may happen if you die intestate: Your immediate next of kin, whoever they […]

Family relationships can be complicated. Not every parent remains in his or her child’s life, which can complicate matters when the child has a disability or special needs. This can create financial issues too, especially if the other parent is absent but still living and the child’s eligibility for benefits is affected as a result. […]

Sole proprietorships are a common type of ownership interest where the business owner and the business are the same legal entity. The business owner of a sole proprietorship is personally responsible for any debts the business incurs. However, unlike a corporation, the sole proprietorship belongs to one person and is legally a business indistinct from […]

A power of attorney is a legal agreement that allows one adult, the agent, to make legal and financial decisions on behalf of another, the principal. People create power of attorney documents with a Bay Area estate lawyer so that someone of their choosing can speak for them if they should become incapacitated or otherwise […]

A common question that Silicon Valley trust lawyers are asked when helping clients create their estate plans is, “How hard will it be to sell my house if I put it in a trust?” The simple answer is that it’s not hard at all. In most cases, the grantor (or trust maker) also serves as […]

As a Santa Clara County probate lawyer, I commonly say, “If you don’t create your own will while you’re alive, the state will give you one when you’re gone.” What that means is that if a person dies without a will (called “intestate”) their estate will be administered according to state law. Likewise, the heirs […]