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A properly drafted and funded Medicaid Asset Protection Trust may help you keep your property safe and secure from Medicaid asset recovery, as well as help you remain eligible for benefits. A qualified attorney can structure the trust to help ensure that your assets remain protected and retain the maximum…

For children, the best place for them should be home. A stable home life allows your children to grow and sets them up for not only future personal success but provides a guide to what home life should look when they start a family of their own. However, sometimes home…

Estate Planning is the process of working with an attorney to create a legally-binding plan for what will happen to your belongings, property, and remaining money after you pass away. Estate Planning can be accomplished through a variety of methods, or even a combination of a few. Your Estate Plan…

If you are having difficulties in your marriage, you have likely started researching what options you have available to you. It is a good idea to understand your situation as well as possible so that you can make the right choices for yourself and your family. For many couples who…

The holiday season is always difficult for divorced parents and their children. Parents have to let go of old grudges and bad memories so that they can work together and make the season special for the kids, who may be feeling sad at the realization that their family is now…

A significant reason why divorce can be so stressful is because of the uncertainty it brings. The future you had imagined is no longer achievable. In addition to losing a partner, you may have to negotiate child custody, child support, and alimony. Asking about the financial aspects of divorce (i.e.,…

After your divorce is finalized, you will no longer be a husband or a wife, but you are still a parent. And you will need to be one when your child needs it the most. You face the challenge of being at your best for the sake of your children…

The short answer to this question is that it takes a minimum of six months. You will quickly discover that these types of questions are followed with the words, “it depends.” That is not a means to circumvent the question. These answers are always tied to your specific circumstances. And…

If you have children, you will continue to be in close contact with your former spouse. Together you two will have to face new challenges as co-parents. One of the more unique circumstances during this time is how new people will be brought into your family. Either you, your spouse…

Do you need a will or a trust? When people create an estate plan, they will likely include both. And people can have multiple trusts. An estate plan is the culmination of documents that you make. Each one serves a purpose. A skilled attorney will build your estate plan using one…

You’ve likely heard that California is a 50/50 state. This is true; it is. Eight other states are too. But what does this mean? It comes down to the standard regarding how community property gets divided between spouses. Furthermore, states will differ on how they deem things to be “community…

There are a few steps that can and will occur before you get to a review hearing. The process begins when Child Protective Services (CPS) files a petition with the court stating that a child is not safe by living with their parents and why this is the case. During…

Despite the reasons, having a family breakup is both emotionally and physically challenging. It can become even more so when you need to fight for custody of a child because they are at risk. Educate yourself in the emergency custody process to know what to expect. In California, the first…

All divorces have one thing in common- the marriage didn’t work out. Even couples who are determined to be amicable may find themselves overwhelmed by feelings of anger and regret, leading to arguments. When your spouse is argumentative, a minor disagreement can escalate fast. It is in everyone’s best interests…

Living trusts are a highly-effective estate planning tool that can spare your loved ones the expensive and time-consuming probate process. Once established, they allow a third party (known as a trustee) to hold and manage assets on behalf of your beneficiaries and when you pass, these assets are passed on…

While a will is a good starting place for your estate plan, a strong plan will utilize many other tools to determine what will happen to your assets after you pass away, or what will happen if you become ill or incapacitated before that time. Today we’re highlighting one of…

When a baby is born to a married couple, California law assumes that the mother’s husband is the baby’s father. That man gets all the benefits of legal paternity, such as the right to pursue custody if the pair divorces. But did you know that if you aren’t married to…

Coronavirus has changed our lives in many frightening ways, from threatening our health and that of our loved ones to contributing to rising suicide rates, and new data suggests another disturbing trend: Stay home orders have caused a rise in domestic violence cases. Whether it is simply being reported more…

When it comes to relationship issues and divorce, everyone seems to have an opinion. Sometimes your loved ones’ advice varies so greatly that it can be difficult to know whose words to heed and whose to disregard. While we know your loved ones have only the best intentions, the Carroll…

When you create a will, you need to name an executor. The executor of your will is a person who has the legal responsibility to ensure that your financial matters are handled properly after you pass away. They will likely pay bills and taxes on behalf of your estate, distribute…