Horizon Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog

When a family member passes away, there are many legal steps that the surviving members must take to settle the person’s final affairs. In most cases, a family member is appointed in the person’s will to serve as administrator of the probate estate. The family member will be the one to administer the estate.  If there was no will, a family member might need to petition the court to be appointed to administer the estate.

Not knowing what to do or what may happen during the probate process can be overwhelming.
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Elder abuse occurs more often than most people believe. Unfortunately, many elderly adults cannot speak for themselves or are too afraid to report abuse or neglect. Therefore, it may be up to you to speak up if you suspect elder abuse. After reporting elder abuse, meeting with a
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People go to nursing homes for a variety of reasons – such as short-term recuperation from surgery or for long-term care, but no matter why your loved one needs to stay at a nursing home, you need to evaluate the factors that will affect your relative’s health and well-being at the facility. If you have specific questions about how a loved one has been treated in a nursing home, or are in need of resources, our Read more . . .

What estate planning documents are essential to protect my heirs?

The topic of estate planning often elicits much confusion and uncertainty.  Some of us have likely come to believe that only the elderly or the ultra-wealthy need an estate plan.  Others recognize the importance of an estate plan, but may find themselves nonetheless putting off the task of creating one year after year.  Failing to create an estate plan can leave your heirs in a vulnerable position.  With no estate plan in place, the courts would be forced to divide your assets per state law, which may leave some loved ones out and will cost your heirs in taxes and fees.
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No one likes thinking about becoming incapacitated. The sad fact is, many people do find themselves unable to make their own medical decisions. Without proper incapacity planning, including an up-to-date HIPAA authorization, it can be impossible for your loved ones to get access to your medical records and get you the treatments that you need. As

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2019 will usher in multiple changes in benefits for veterans in California and across the nation. As a veteran, you have served your country, and you deserve these programs, but if you do not know about them, you will miss out of their valuable services.

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One of the advantages afforded to taxpayers in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is the increase in the federal estate tax exemption. The TCJA increased the federal estate tax exemption. It also indexed it for future inflation. In 2019, the federal estate tax exemption for individuals is $11.4 million ($22.

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Are AB trusts still a solid estate planning tool for married couples?

An AB trust is a joint trust created by a married couple with the goal of minimizing estate taxes.  AB trusts are unique in that the trust will divide into two when the first spouse passes away.  Assets from both spouses will be placed into the trust and the trust will name a beneficiary, or multiple beneficiaries, who can be anyone besides the other spouse.  Trust A is known as the survivor’s trust or Marital Trust, while Trust B is the decedent’s trust or Bypass Trust.  AB trusts have become less common in recent years due to some changing estate tax laws, but under some circumstances, they still hold an important purpose in

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Aging is a natural progression that everyone experiences, but it can come with certain challenges. As our parents age, it may be necessary to provide additional financial, physical, and emotional care. Developing a care plan with your parents now can avoid issues and problems in the future. Below are 10 tips from our Read more . . .

Scams targeting the elderly are common throughout the United States. The Read more . . .

Why is it important to update my estate plan every few years?

The New Year offers a fresh start for all of us. It represents a clean slate, and for many the start of the new year is the time to create goals.  By outlining a few resolutions for 2019, you can work to ensure this new year becomes everything you want it to be.  People of all ages should consider incorporating estate planning into their New Year’s resolutions.  Whether you are retired or just starting off in the working world, you could benefit from making or updating your estate plan.
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