Online resource center to help you explore these key issues, and others, regarding your estate.
Mr. Miller has many years of experience in designing and implementing a comprehensive variety of Trusts, Wills, and other estate planning documents, as well as settling estates in the most expedient and appropriate method. Further, he counsels and assists clients on becoming eligible for VA benefits and Medi-Cal.
Learn moreMr. Miller has been active in the area of VA Pension and Medi-Cal for well over a decade. He uses various specialized types of Trusts as well as non-trust strategies to gain eligibility for his clients and save the family money.
Learn moreMr. Miller has been settling estates (both simple and complex) for well over 40 years. The starting point is always to create a strategy to settle the estate in the most efficient manner possible with a minimum of taxes. Often times the strategy created allows the family to bypass Probate Court proceedings.
Learn moreIntroduction Where to Get a Task List for Free Inventory Assets Marshal Assets The Tricky Stuff Summary Free Report Introduction: My Dad just died. My Mom passed a few years ago. My sister and I are the only beneficiaries and we will be inheriting approximately $500,000 each, made up of a house, stock and bonds, … Read more
The Veterans Homes Fund could use your help. On your California income tax return (Form 540), you have the opportunity to donate all or some of your refund to various organizations. The CA Veteran’s Home Fund was added to income tax returns last year. In order to remain on the return, it must generate $250,000 … Read more
There are plenty of things that get better with time like fine wines and cheese. There are also plenty that do not necessarily improve with time: like unresolved family tension. These days, with the number of blended families, unresolved tensions lead to serious estate planning and administration problems. Even worse, the blended family issue can … Read more
Issues in women’s health have been hot in the news and the Republican presidential primaries lately. The current debate highlights a broader issue: women are different than men. Women suffer different medical problems and the same medical problems differently. Because March is Women’s History Month, the V.A. issued a number of articles and tips for … Read more
Over the years of my practice I have seen the specter of death taxes weigh over my clients and drive their estate plans. A lot of people have been confused about what estate taxes are and what they mean. If you ask me, rightfully so! The world of estate tax has been extremely tumultuous over … Read more
The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard arguments in the case of Astrue vs. Capato. The basic facts of the case are as follows: Ms. Capato married rather late in life in 1999 to a man who, shortly after was diagnosed with cancer. Because his condition was expected to be fatal, as it worsened he used … Read more
Typos, juxtaposed letters, mis-punctuated sentences. If you have ever read the corrections section of a newspaper, you know that no one is infallible. Unfortunately, sometimes the same is true about your attorney. What do you do when your lawyer makes a mistake on your vital documents (pun intended)? To start off, an ounce of prevention … Read more
No, really. We’re serious this time. You have probably been told over and over to increase your retirement savings. Increased lifespans and higher costs of living have contributed to increased projections for what you actually need for retirement. More recently the retirement accounts of many Americans have taken a beating as a result of the … Read more
An ongoing lawsuit filed in late 2010 is suddenly causing a stir nationwide. The lawsuit urges, among other things, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to take action to approve V.A. benefits for veterans who were stationed at the Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland during the 1960s. So far, the government has … Read more
Selecting the Successor Trustee? More Difficult Than You Thought! Introduction The Job The Choices Family and Friends Trust Companies Negatives to Trust Companies Factors to Consider Who Can Help You Select a Trust Company Introduction: Bob and Lori were about to make an estate planning appointment with their attorney. They were discussing who should manage … Read more
About Living Trusts is hosted by the Law Offices of Merwyn J. Miller, as your online resource center to help you explore these key issues, and others, regarding your estate.
Dear Mr. Miller: I’m in my 90s now. I’m proud to say that I am worth $4 million. I’ve had a Trust for years. I have two kids, ...
Dear Mr. Miller: My Mom is in a skilled nursing facility in California. Not only is her memory completely shot, she really has no idea which way is up...
Dear Mr. Miller: Last month you mentioned some problems that one can run into when creating a Living Trust or Will online or without an experienced at...
