Legal

There are potentially more new tax laws likely to affect Californians this year than Proposition 19, which we’ve covered extensively here in this blog and through a series of webinars. (Prop 19 went into effect on February 16, dramatically changing property tax rules in California around intrafamily transfers of real estate, what can be exempted […]

When we think about Estate Planning, we usually focus on real estate, such as primary residences, vacation homes, and commercial property and how those assets get handled upon our passing or incapacitation to minimize taxes and avoid probate court. Including a home and other real estate in a living Trust is a preferred strategy for […]

Immigration law overlaps with many other areas of law, including business, real property, family, criminal and employment law. In the employment arena there is a dangerous assumption that only those who hire foreign workers are subject to immigration laws. This assumption is not only incorrect, but it could cost a business thousands of dollars per […]

As the old saying goes, “you can’t pick your neighbors.”  In Southern California where property is a valuable commodity, it is common for adjoining properties to be close in proximity.  One issue that is relatively common due to the lack of significant distance between neighbors is the responsibilities of property owners when a tree is […]

Changes in life are inevitable. A birth, death, marriage, divorce, move, property purchase or sale, change in laws and regulations, or the simple fact that our families age are the types of life events that can affect us in the present as well as impact our plans for the future.  When is the last time […]

You’ve likely heard a lot about estate planning, but do you know why it’s so important  both for you and for your family?  When it’s done right, estate planning is vital for peace of mind knowing that you have things planned out properly and that your family has what it needs should the unexpected occur. […]

When it comes to estate planning, knowing what to do (and what not to do) is critical to your peace of mind and your family’s. The time of a loved one’s passing is a difficult and stressful for everyone. But a proper estate plan can help your family avoid time in court, maintain control of […]

As we start the new year with cautious optimism, happily bidding 2020 “Good riddance,” one of the first issues for California property owners to tackle is how they (and their families) will be impacted by Proposition 19’s new tax rules. How will it affect you? How will it affect your children or grandchildren? Prop 19 […]

As families gather for the holidays, it is traditional to offer gifts and celebrate the season together.  If you are trying to think of the perfect gift for your family this year, you might consider making an estate plan or taking other generous steps.  When you make a simple estate plan you ensure your family’s […]

When you make your estate plan, you want to assume that the heirs and beneficiaries of your will or trust will accept the terms.  After all, those are your final wishes for distribution of your assets, and they should be respected. However, not all heirs are interested in your wishes, and instead focus on whether […]

Pet lovers making an estate plan often ask how they can provide for the future care of their pet. This is a natural question since a pet can be an important life companion, especially as people get older. If you want to provide for your pet after you are gone, there are ways to handle […]

Married couples will usually make their estate plan together, especially if they hold most assets jointly and have the same goal to provide for their family’s future.  In that case, the surviving spouse would receive the majorityof assets as primary beneficiaryof a will or trust. This make sense especially if there are minor children to […]

Married couples will usually make their estate plan together, especially if they hold most assets jointly and have the same goal to provide for their family’s future. In that case, the surviving spouse would receive the majority of assets as primary beneficiary and act as an executor of a will or co-trustee of a trust. […]

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is the national privacy law that protects patient confidential information while under medical care and treatment. Typically, a patient’s medical records and information are kept strictly confidential, and any health provider that divulges that information to third parties without permission is subject to penalties. Specific HIPAA Waivers for […]

There are many DIY estate planning tools and forms available for a small fee, and the companies that offer them will let you believe it is simple to draft your own will or trust without an attorney. While that may be true for some well-versed in estate planning and probate law, or those with few […]

Estate planning isn’t all about your Will. You might think that estate planning primarily concerns what happens to your property and money after you die. Yes, those are important considerations, but estate planning also encompasses decisions that will be made while you are still alive. In the event that you are incapacitated due to severe […]

However, if you are thinking about making an estate plan you might not know how life insurance will affect that plan or your choices. It is likely more people have life insurance policies than estate plans, so this is a frequent situation faced by those new to estate planning. Life Insurance Beneficiaries First, all life […]

The goal is to make sure that your estate plan is up to date and reflects the intentions and priorities of both spouses. Then, as your family grows, and asset values increase, you can easily amend it as needed. So, instead of an unpleasant task to be put off, making an estate plan together is […]

For that reason, it is good to know what the justifiable reasons are for involuntary discharge. Those are set out under Federal law and subject to review on patient appeal by an independent agency, so the facility cannot just make the decision arbitrarily on their own. The Six Reasons Justifying Discharge are: For the resident’s […]

Here are the top five reasons that people don’t have an estate plan: Procrastination This is the number one reason, and not too surprising. Making an estate plan is easy to put off (even if you think it is a good idea). Everyone has busy lives and the prospect of assembling all the information and […]

There are a number of ways to participate, and one of the easiest is to include your favorite charity in your estate plan. When you name a charity in your will or trust you can leave a legacy without affecting your current resources, and in some cases, there can be tax advantages. How to Make […]

Have a legal question? The Temecula Law Resource Center (TLRC) may be able to help! TLRC will host a Free Legal Aid Clinic on Wednesday, October 23rd from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm, where volunteer attorneys will provide free 20-minute consultations at the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library (30600 Pauba Road). Areas of law […]

The importance of this cannot be overstated, and there are well publicized cases where patients linger for years with no AHCD, and family or medical personnel have no ability to make extreme decisions. Because this may be an uncomfortable topic, some families will put it off, but it is really fairly simple for your attorney […]