If you find yourself responsible for administering the estate of a recently deceased loved one, you are also facing the prospect of spending months, even years, entrenched in the probate process. The good news is that not all estates are required to go through formal probate. Moreover, some assets bypass the probate process altogether. Given the repercussions that can follow making a mistake, you should always consult with an experienced probate attorney before reaching the conclusion that an … [Read more...] about When Is Probate Not Necessary in California?
How Long after a Will Is Probated Can It Be Contested?
The time period following the death of a loved one is often a confusing time for the surviving family members and loved ones. Sometimes the grieving period is overshadowed by the legalities that must be addressed. For example, if you have reason to question the validity of the decedent’s Last Will and Testament, you will need to act on those concerns in a timely manner of forever waive the right to do so. The time period within which you can contest a Will in California is directly tied to when … [Read more...] about How Long after a Will Is Probated Can It Be Contested?
Understanding the Medi-Cal “Waiting” Period for Nursing Home Care
Many seniors enter their retirement years knowing very little about Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program) because they were covered by employer-sponsored or privately funded health insurance throughout their working years. That lack of knowledge can be problematic – and costly – if you are one of the thousands of seniors who need to qualify for Long Term Care Medi-Cal. In fact, you may find yourself subject to a lengthy waiting period during which Long Term Medi-Cal doesn’t cover the cost for … [Read more...] about Understanding the Medi-Cal “Waiting” Period for Nursing Home Care
Top Signs Your Parent May Be the Victim of Elder Financial Abuse
As your parents age, a role reversal may occur that causes you to become your parents' protector. In that role, you may find yourself worried about the possibility that your parent could become a victim of elder abuse. Sadly, elder abuse takes many forms and occurs far more often than most people realize. In an effort to help you keep your parents safe, the Riverside elder law attorneys at Sandoval Legacy Group, A Professional Law Corporation describe some of the common signs that may indicate a … [Read more...] about Top Signs Your Parent May Be the Victim of Elder Financial Abuse
When Should I Update My Estate Plan?
Creating a comprehensive and cohesive estate plan is one of the most valuable gifts you can give to both yourself and to your loved ones. An estate plan that functions as intended will protect your assets and help them grow over the course of your lifetime as well as ensure that your loved ones are provided for in the event of your death or incapacity. If you have an estate plan in place already, you are ahead of the majority of Americans; however, you are not done yet. In fact, reviewing and … [Read more...] about When Should I Update My Estate Plan?
Top 3 Reasons to Include a Living Trust in Your Estate Plan
Your estate plan can be simplistic and uncomplicated or complex and complicated, depending on the size of your estate and the variety of goals that need to be addressed within the plan. The more complex the plan, the more estate planning tools and strategies you will likely incorporate into the plan. One estate planning tools that can be found in the most basic as well as the most intricate of plans is a living trust. Riverside elder law attorney Dennis M. Sandoval suggests you consider the … [Read more...] about Top 3 Reasons to Include a Living Trust in Your Estate Plan
Two years after his death, Prince’s estate remains unsettled
Probate of Prince's Estate Drags On Now two years after Prince's death, his estate remains a mess. With estimates of a value in excess of $200 million, the IRS and executor Comerica Bank don't look any closer at agreeing to a value for the estate or the amount and the timing of payment of estate taxes. Comerica and its attorneys have already been paid $5.9 million with a pending request for another $2.9 million in fees. That doesn't include fees for accountants, appraisers, attorneys for the … [Read more...] about Two years after his death, Prince’s estate remains unsettled
Are There Alternatives for Managing Property When Someone becomes Incapacitated?
When most people think about the need for an estate plan, they focus on the need to plan for how their estate will be handled after their death. While ensuring that your estate is handled according to your wishes after you are gone is certainly reason enough to create an estate plan, there is another equally important reason – planning for the possibility of incapacity. If incapacity does strike, who will manage your estate assets? Incorporating an incapacity planning component in your … [Read more...] about Are There Alternatives for Managing Property When Someone becomes Incapacitated?
Understanding the Power in a Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney, or POA, is among the most common estate planning tools. Most people, at some point in their life, either create a POA or act as an Agent under a POA created by someone else. Unfortunately, a Power of Attorney is also one of the most frequently abused legal documents. One reason for that is that all too often the person creating the POA does not truly understand the power and authority conveyed in the document. With that in mind, the Riverside elder lawyers at Sandoval Legacy … [Read more...] about Understanding the Power in a Power of Attorney
Steps to Take If You Suspect Elder Abuse
If you have a parent who is in a nursing home, or is otherwise dependent on caregivers, you probably worry about his/her physical and mental wellbeing. If you are not the one providing all of your parent’s care, it is completely understandable that you would be concerned about the care that is being provided by someone else, particularly when we hear stories about elder abuse on a regular basis in the news. What should you do if you start to suspect that your parent is the victim of elder abuse? … [Read more...] about Steps to Take If You Suspect Elder Abuse
