Q. My brothers and I plan to buy a home together, and wonder whether we should take title to the home as joint tenants or as tenants-in-common. Can you explain the difference? A. Sure. There are distinct differences between these forms of ownership. The principal differences pertain to the equality of ownership and the right… Read More »
Posts Categorized: Uncategorized
Can I Keep My SSI If My Ex-Spouse Pays Me Support?
Q. I recently qualified for SSI and Medi-Cal, but I am going through a divorce . I worry that when my ex-spouse is ordered to pay me Spousal Support, I may then lose my SSI and Medi-Cal. Is there a way that I can keep my public benefits and also receive support? I am now… Read More »
Are Your Estate Planning Documents HIPAA Compliant?
Q: I heard on a radio program that Living Trusts should be HIPAA compliant, but I didn’t quite catch the full comment. Can you shed any light on this? A. Sure. Most trusts and powers of attorney contain provisions which call for a change in trustee or agent when the maker of these instruments (you)… Read More »
Understanding A “Springing” Power of Attorney
Q. I recently heard the term “Springing” Power of Attorney, but I am not sure what that means. Can you shed any light on this? A. Sure. Broadly speaking, there are two general categories of financial Powers of Attorney: (1) those that are immediately effective upon signing by the principal, and (2) those that are… Read More »
Filial Responsibility: Are Children Responsible For Their Parents’ Care?
Q. My wife and I are concerned that our adult children might be held financially responsible for our care in the event we run out of our own resources. Our children are good kids, but they have their own financial responsibilities, including putting their own kids through college. Can you shed any light on this?… Read More »
When Your Most Valued Assets Are Not Covered by Your Will
Q. My wife and I hold title to her home as joint tenants, and most of our cash assets are in the form of two large IRA accounts and one big annuity. We have basic wills which leaves everything to the other and then on to our children. Our son suggested that our wills may… Read More »
The Ethical Will: Putting Your Values on Paper
Q. In connection with creating our estate planning documents, my husband and I would like to leave our children and grandchildren something more than just our money and assets. We would like to leave them a sense of our values. A friend mentioned something to us about an “Ethical Will”. Do you have any thoughts… Read More »
“Dad is in ICU and I Need Power Of Attorney. Help!”
Q. “Dad suffered a stroke and is in the hospital in ICU. I do not have signing power on his bank accounts and I need to pay his bills. I am told that I need a Power of Attorney so that I can take care of his finances. Can you help?” A. We frequently receive… Read More »
A Resolution For The New Year
Q. My wife and I created our estate planning documents about 15 years ago and we really have not even looked at them since. Do you have any thoughts about when we should consider updating them? B. Yes, I do. I would tie a review and update into a New Year’s Resolution. Many of us… Read More »
How to Access A Decedent’s Safety Deposit Box
Q. My late Uncle set up a safety deposit box at a local bank and named me as both executor under his Will and trustee under his Trust. In order to follow his wishes, I need access to his original estate planning documents, which I understand are held in his safety deposit box. How can… Read More »