Online resource center to help you explore these key issues, and others, regarding your estate.

Practice Areas

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.

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VA Pension/Aid & Attendance/Medi-Cal

Mr. 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.

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Probate & Estate Administration

Mr. 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.

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The Hurricane of Unknown Events…

By merv,

Over the weekend “Frankenstorm,” also known as Hurricane Sandy after it merged with a Nor’easter ravaged the east coast and much of the Midwest with high winds, a lot of rain, snow, and sleet.  Because so many San Diego residents are transplants, chances are good that you or someone you know is in the densely  … Read more


Gifting with the Ability to Get It Back

By merv,

Gifting with the Ability to Get It Back Introduction Tax Exemption Clawback The Dilemma Irrevocable Trust Gift and Death Tax Result Step Up in Basis Conclusion Dear Mr. Miller: I know there is a $5 million dollar gift tax exemption right now and that it goes away come January 2013. I am single and have  … Read more


Don’t Let the Clock Run Out on You!

By merv,

There are only two full months remaining in the year before a huge increase in the federal estate and gift tax is set to be imposed.  Depending on the size of your estate, you may want to consider estate planning and gifting strategies immediately in order to take advantage of the current rates.  Right now,  … Read more


Quantity vs. Quality in Your Health…

By merv,

When you create an Advance Healthcare Directive (AHCD) as part of your complete estate plan, you are often asked to imagine the unimaginable.  Some attorneys will give you several options for end of life decisions, such as preserving your life as long as possible at one end of the spectrum and denying all attempts to  … Read more


Value, Value Added, and Price…

By merv,

So you have decided to create an estate plan, but you are unsure how to choose an appropriate estate planning attorney.  To be sure, there is no shortage of options in Southern California and many potential clients will choose an attorney based on one factor: price.  However, as with any industry, some attorneys are better  … Read more


I’ll Do What I Want!

By merv,

Often when a parent or loved one loses capacity, someone in the family takes control over the incapacitated person’s financial or medical decisions.  When the incapacitated person has done proper estate planning in advance, the person who takes over is named in the estate planning documents, such as a Financial Power of Attorney, Trust, or  … Read more


If Estate Tax is the Answer, What’s the Question?

By merv,

As the nation moves rapidly toward what is commonly known as “the fiscal cliff,” when a slew of automatic budget cuts and increased tax rates take effect simultaneously (January 1, 2013), many are wondering if Congress will be able to come together before their pending deadline.  The fiscal cliff was initially created largely due to  … Read more


Life is So Much Better when We Work Together!

By merv,

The law, the markets, your family, and politics are in a more or less constant state of flux.  Chances are, you have a team of financial professionals to help you deal with these constant changes, and don’t even think about it!  As you work with your tax and financial planners, usually annually, consider including your  … Read more


Texas Aborts Planned Parenthood!

By merv,

As the Democrats get their National Convention underway in Charlotte, NC this week, women’s health and Obamacare are top on the agenda.  As a result of recent claims made by Senator Todd Akin, abortion and family planning catapulted to the forefront of the national discussion.  In Texas, a federal judge recently allowed the Texas legislature  … Read more


Step Up In Basis With A-B Trusts

By merv,

Step Up In Basis With A-B Trusts            Printer Friendly Version Introduction Step Up In Basis Rule Decedent’s Trust Step Up Death Tax Focus Changing the Focus to an Income Tax One Getting Help Dear Mr. Miller: My Dad passed a few months ago. My Mom preceded him back in 2000. They had one of those  … Read more


About Living Trusts

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.

Merwyn J. Miller, J.D.

  • Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law
  • Co-Author of legal text book and of “Don’t Go Broke in a Nursing Home
  • Teacher of law courses at public and private colleges
  • Continuing Education Instructor for attorneys
  • Columnist for largest regional newspaper in San Diego County and professional journals for 15 years, Contributing author to the book “In Your Service: The Veteran’s Friend”
  • Masters Degree in Financial Services - Estate Planning
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