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 morePlanning for government benefits is more important than ever. We have a heavily aging population and we are facing severe budgeting problems in Washington. This will probably result in government benefits (Medi-Cal, for example) becoming more difficult to obtain due to stricter qualification guidelines. Want proof. The latest U.S. Census Bureau brief on data from … Read more
Many times people mean well, they know they need estate planning services, but they wait because it’s not the right time for them. I understand why many of my clients wait. Hey, we’re all very busy these days, plus confronting our own mortality is just not the most pleasant thing in the world. And then … Read more
I know a thing or two about the VA aid & attendance improved pension benefit. After all, I’ve counseled over 450 veterans families and brought in millions of dollars in benefits to them. The problem is that whenever there are government benefits and entitlements, there are scams and dishonest people trying to rip the claimants … Read more
Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. Certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare, too, including those who have disabilities, permanent kidney failure or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease). The program helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover all medical … Read more
Life insurance has long been a part of estate planning in the United States. Although life insurance does not need to be a part of every person’s estate plan, it can be incredibly useful, particularly for parents of young children and those who support a spouse or a disabled adult or child. If you have … Read more
When Is Someone No Longer Competent to Sign Estate Planning Documents? Introduction What physicians do and don’t do Importance of Attorney Doing Investigation Presumption of Capacity Wills Test Power of Attorney Test Living Trust Test Summary Introduction: My mom’s physician has declared my mom mentally incompetent. I guess she can’t sign documents any more. That’s … Read more
I received a recent inquiry from a past client. He had questions about his father’s situation.With some changes to the facts to hide the identity, here is my response. Dear Mr. Miller: We need to make some decisions about caring for our dad. He can no longer live on his own without help. He doesn’t … Read more
A client called me the other day asking what I know about annuities. She was invited by a friend to attend a free seminar with a free lunch by a “Trust Advisor.” Her friend, recently widowed, didn’t have a trust and didn’t know how best to invest her nest egg left by her late husband. … Read more
Limitations Definitions Trigger Example I’m my Mom’s Power of Attorney and I want to make gifts on her behalf to myself and my three sisters. This will help her get qualified for Medi-Cal. I’m my Mom’s Power of Attorney—I can do anything for her now—Right??? Limitations: Wrong! Your powers to act on behalf of your … Read more
This past Tuesday a bipartisan group of senators known as the “Gang of Six” unveiled their 10-year $3.7 trillion deficit-reduction plan. Under the Gang of Six’ deficit plan, reportedly, the Community Living Assistance Services and Support (CLASS) Act, the voluntary long-term care insurance program instituted by healthcare reform, would be repealed before it began. None of … 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: My husband and I recently completed our estate planning. We now have a Living Trust, Wills, Powers of Attorney and other documents. O...
Dear Mr. Miller: My mother is 82 and still lives alone. Over the last year, she has become noticeably more forgetful. She repeats stories, sometimes f...
Dear Mr. Miller: My mother passed away recently, and I have been named the Successor Trustee of her trust. I expected to be sad after losing her, but ...
