Horizon Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog

As a general rule, every asset that you own should be included as part of your bankruptcy estate. If your parents are filing bankruptcy, this rule will apply to them as well—unless they have a specific type of trust.

Children may be particularly interested in this issue because when parents file bankruptcy, it may put their inheritance at risk. With proper planning, however, trust assets may be safe from creditors, even when a parent files bankruptcy.

More people are beginning to work with a California estate-planning lawyer to develop an estate plan earlier in life. Our clients have expressed the desire to have a plan that protects their family and their property in case of their death. However, what happens if a person is diagnosed with a terminal illness before the individual has an estate plan? Is it too late to meet with a...

Do your loved ones know where your will is located?

At times, even people who have taken the critical step of making an estate plan fail to provide their loved ones with the information they will need to execute that plan. Whether it is through an oversight or intentional secrecy, leaving your loved ones out of the estate planning process can create complications.

One of the goals of effective estate planning is to ensure that all your assets are included in the plan. Assets may be distributed through your will, a trust agreement, jointly titled property, or a beneficiary designation. However, the key is to identify all assets and ensure those assets are accounted for somewhere in your estate plan. Your California asset protection lawyer can help you devise a plan to distribute your assets after your death, but only if your attorney knows about the assets.

Therefore, do not forget to list cryptocurrency as an asset for estate planning purposes.

Thinking about our own mortality is not a pleasant thought for many individuals. However, our deaths are inevitable. Therefore, instead of focusing on your death, you can focus on ways you can make your passing easier for your loved ones.

California administers federal Medicaid funds through its Medi-Cal program.

What changes should be made to my estate plan if I am going through a divorce?

Filing for divorce is a stressful and complex process. With so much on your plate, it can be easy to overlook your estate plan as you go through a divorce. Failing to update your estate plan during or after your divorce can, however, come with devastating consequences.

You may not believe that you need asset planning right now; however, once you realize you need to protect your assets, it may be too late to do so. Our California asset protection lawyers utilize a variety of asset planning strategies to help our clients protect assets, including real estate, inheritance, liquid assets, personal property, and lawsuit settlements.

Veterans may be entitled to a variety of benefits. However, dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be extremely frustrating. Navigating the system, including the numerous forms and requirements, can be overwhelming. In addition, VA regulations and laws are complex and can be difficult to understand.

How do I start the probate process if my loved one dies?

Following the death of a loved one, you will be faced with confronting all of the emotions surrounding the death, as well as wading through the financial issues that come with a death in the family. Dealing with finances after a person dies can be stressful, particularly when your loved one dies without a clear estate plan. Review some pointers for handling the financial aspect of..

Have you thought about what would happen if you were in an accident tomorrow that caused you to be in a coma? Do you wonder who will take care of you if you become ill and can no longer take care of yourself? Planning for incapacitation is an important element of California crisis management planning. Consulting with an experienced California attorney who assists clients with crisis management planning can help ensure your wishes are carried out even if you are unable to communicate your desires because of incapacitation.