With Your Family in Mind
Avoiding a Medi-Cal Estate Claim Against the Family Home
There is a common misconception that persons who are on Medi-Cal or applying for Medi-Cal cannot protect their homes from Medi-Cal estate claims or that Medi-Cal benefits will be terminated if they transfer the interest in their homes. This is not true.
Can My Family Stop Me From Leaving My Estate the Way I Want?
It used to be that when a person died and the will was read, it was the last word. The kids could rant about how unfair it is; the spouse could be indignant that restrictions were put on his or her bequest; the lawyer could revel in the control he or she would have over the Estate, not to mention the fees to be collected through the probate. But a testator could at least know that in the end, the Estate would be distributed exactly as set out in the will.
Ever had an Encounter that Totally Changed Your Life?
She didn’t look sick the Sunday she walked in. She just introduced herself and declared, abruptly and honestly, that she was ‘not a normal church person.’ But she believed in prayer. Mostly, she explained, because she saw a scientific study in Newsweek Magazine and the statistics were in, prayer changed things. And sometimes, she said, sick people got better. Or, at least they got better more quickly. And, “Oh yeah,“ she said, “I like the idea of Jesus, but I’m not sure about the church thing.”
Where Are Your Teens Tonight?
It’s past your children’s curfew and once again you’re pacing the floor, looking out the windows. Again, you’re wondering where they are and what they’re really doing. They don’t call and they don’t answer their cell phones. Who are they with, really? Your heart skips a beat when the phone rings or with passing sirens. You’re sick with worry. “Will I get a call from the police station again”?
Are You Looking for that Parenting Textbook?
Liz Hodson Has Found It!
Do you ever ask yourself, am I qualified to be a parent? I find it very interesting that we need experience to work in the corporate world, yet no one asks us when we go to the hospital and find out we’re pregnant “Do you have any experience with parenting? Do you need some help?” As we grow and mature through life, we are met with new challenges such as friendships, intimate relationships and parenting. While some of these skills are instinctual, many of them are learned. Where do we learn these skills?
Are You Sure You Really Have a Living Trust?
Over the years, many people have asked me to review their older estate plan. Usually, they say something like, “I need you to review my trust to make sure it’s still good.” When I review their plan, I find they don’t even have a trust. They think they have a trust, but they do not. It is remarkable to me how many people out there are walking around with simple wills, all the while believing they have a living trust. However, people commonly mix up wills and trusts. Therefore, I thought I would explain a bit more about “wills” in this issue of The Magazine.
Is Drinking a Habit or Something More?
For many people, drinking alcohol can enhance a social event or add something special to a good meal. The majority of people are able to drink casually and socially without ever developing any sort of problem. Alcohol is an accepted part of our society and can be fun and harmless when it is used responsibly and controlled.
Youâre Still Worth It
Several weeks ago I shared an analogy with the congregation at Valencia Christian Center that proved to be incredibly encouraging. Since then, I’ve been feeling led to share it here as well. I just feel as if someone reading this magazine is going to be led right here to this article and walk away with the encouragement and hope they’ve been looking for.
SCVi Charter School Opening Fall 2008
Many families find themselves looking for alternatives when existing options don’t seem to meet their children’s particular needs. The Hart district estimates there are over 2,000 homeschoolers in our area. This network of families is gradually expanding educational choices, the latest of which is SCVi Charter School, opening Fall 2008. This classroom-based alternative will appeal to many homeschoolers, using hands-on instruction to engage students actively in real world learning. At an age when socialization is a developmental priority, many seventh grade students find themselves wanting to attend a full time school. SCVi’s intimate family-like atmosphere will be attractive to many families that would like a full schedule with a non-traditional approach.
Whereâs the Line Between Discipline and Abuse?
As parents, we sometimes question where the line is drawn between discipline and abuse. We want to help our children learn to behave properly but we don’t want to ever cross a line where we have caused physical or emotional harm to our children. The word discipline, according to Webster is “training to act in accordance with rules.” Its purpose is to encourage moral, physical and intellectual development and a sense of responsibility in children. Ultimately, we want our children to do the right thing, not because they fear external reprisal, but because they have internalized a standard of good conduct gained self-confidence, and a positive self-image.
Childrenâs Bureau Seeking Parents
Nurture at-risk Children in Foster Care and Adoption Program
With nearly 85,000 children in California removed from their parents’ homes due to abuse or neglect and 9,000 foster children in California waiting for adoptive homes, there is a great need for caring adults to provide loving, nurturing homes as either foster or adoptive parents. A parent information meeting will be held Thursday night, July 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church located at 27265 Luther Drive, Canyon Country, for those interested — adults single or married are welcome (English and Bilingual Spanish speaking).
Yoga: Ancient and Modern
The word yoga first surfaced in India in 1500 B.C. However, evidence suggests that yoga existed as early as 5,000 years ago. Early yogis (practitioners of yoga) found that breath work (pranayama) improved their ability to sing and yoga poses (asanas) kept their bodies healthy.
What Happens to the Family Home in a Divorce?
As a family law attorney, I find that often one of the first questions a client poses is about what will happen to the family home. I’ve been asked “Does the wife always keep the home?” and “Do you always have to sell the house?” Unless you and your spouse have entered into some prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, your home, much like your other assets and debts, will be divided according to California Community Property Law. Thus, if the home is a community property asset, meaning, if it was acquired by the parties or a party using income earned during the marriage, generally, the equity in the home will be divided equally.
Estate Planning: Do You Know Where Your Trust Is Tonight?
Periodically (and unfortunately all too often) we get calls from clients:
“Do you have our original, signed living trust documents?”
“No, I’m sorry.”
“Are you sure?
“Yes. We make it a practice not to retain clients’ original documents.”
“Could you just look in your file, to be sure?”
“Gladly. One moment, please. I’m looking at your file. The day you signed all your trust and related estate planning documents, I gave you the originals and a set of copies. All I have is a set of photocopies and a copy of the cover letter I gave you, when you signed everything. In that letter, I suggested that you put the originals in a safe deposit box, and that you keep the set of copies at home. I recommended that you put a note on the copies indicating where you put the originals. (Nothing drives successor trustees and families crazier than to find the copies but not the originals.) Did you put the originals in your safe deposit box? “
“Yes, but that was a long time ago. We took them out once, and I don’t think we ever put them back. Now we can’t find them anywhere.”
Don’t let this happen to you!
Improving Employee Safety
Accidents in the workplace result in higher workers’ compensation and insurance costs, lost workdays, and lower employee morale. Thus, it makes good sense for employers to provide safety education for their employees to reduce the likelihood of injuries.
Gateway Village Comes to Life
It’s been almost a year since Gateway Village has been under new ownership and managed by CB Richard Ellis. This property is considered the “younger sister” to The River, in Rancho Mirage, California, said Ms. Carol Ann Zale; Asset Manager. When Gateway Village was purchased, the owners wanted to make significant changes, all positive.
Divorce and Enemas â A Not-So-Graphic Comparison
Okay, I’ll confess, neither of these are easy subjects. However, if you have gone through either a divorce or an enema procedure you know that both are distasteful and very uncomfortable, they make you feel vulnerable, no one wants to watch them happen, and when you are in the...
Nurturing a Healthy Sense of Trust in Your Child
Gone are the days when children rode their bikes to the open field behind the neighborhood to climb trees, build forts, play baseball, and ride back home before dark to find supper on the table. When our daily life had a built in simplicity and predictability, our children felt that the world was a safe and stable place, and from this a healthy sense of trust in their environment, their community, their friends and their family emerged. This allowed children to develop good judgment and trust their instincts.
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