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 […]

One of the most difficult decisions that parents of minor children have to make when creating their estate plans is choosing the person(s) they would want to raise their children if they were incapacitated or suddenly passed away. In our office, we often find that the conversation starts with, or eventually winds its way back […]

While a power of attorney (POA) does not technically expire unless it’s revoked by the person who created it, you may run into a situation where a bank or a brokerage firm refuses to accept the document because it’s “too old.” You may also hear the phrase, “the document is stale.” So, what does this […]