Horizon Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog

Millions of seniors get taken advantage of financially every year, bullied to hand over cash, and swindled out of their life savings. Tragically, in the vast majority of cases, the perpetrator is a relative, neighbor, friend, caretaker, or person in a position of trust. If you suspect that your elderly loved one is being financially abused, a Read more . . .

So, you got your estate-planning documents completed, and now you want to know where to store them. Many people are surprised to hear that one of the worst places to keep your will, trust, power of attorney, and other estate-planning documents is in your safe-deposit box. A Read more . . .

California elder law attorneys are frequently asked, “Should I give gifts during my life or leave them in my will”? The answer, “It depends.”

If you have a modest estate and are relying on the bulk of it to live, gifting assets during your life might not be a good idea.
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No, you do not automatically get Medicare when you turn 65. You have to apply for Medicare and meet the eligibility requirements. You can face financial penalties if you do not sign up for Medicare by the deadline. There are multiple parts to Medicare and many options available for coverage. A California elder law attorney can help you navigate through the application process and appeal denials of eligibility or coverage.
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Many Americans get caught in a financial bind because they can't afford to pay for the nursing home out of pocket, but they have too many assets to qualify for Medicaid to pay for their long-term care and provide other valuable benefits. There is no asset limit for Medicare, but state and federal law require limited countable assets to be eligible for Medicaid.

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Caring for aging loved ones is a great responsibility, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. The CDC reports that people 65 and over are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, facing a 31-70% hospitalization rate after contracting the disease, and up to a 27% mortality rate.
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COVID-19 poses a severe health risk to the general population, and our seniors are especially vulnerable. According to the CDC, 8 out of 10 deaths reported in the U.
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Life care planning reflects a new mindset in estate planning. Traditionally, when a person set up an estate plan, the goal was to preserve as much wealth as possible for the next generation. One consequence of this approach was that heirs sometimes saw seniors as expensive liabilities on the family’s inheritance. Life care planning views older adults as valuable people whose comfort, safety, health, and well-being should be the first priority of their estate plan. A Read more . . .

Whether you need someone to advise and assist you with your elder law questions or you need help for an aging loved one, a California elder attorney can help. If you need to find someone to guide you through the process, it can help to know the five qualities of a great elder law attorney.
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When you decide to protect your future and provide for your loved ones, a lawyer can help you formulate your plans and draft the documents you need. A California estate planning lawyer can do much more for you than merely write a will or living trust.
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A revocable living trust could be a better option for you than a will or an irrevocable living trust. Each of these estate planning documents has advantages and disadvantages. If you are thinking about creating or updating your estate plan, a Read more . . .