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 Use the Proper Expert Experts You Will Need Selecting an Attorney Tax Advisor CPA Enrolled Agent Registered Tax Preparer Financial Advisor Trust Companies & Banks Certified Financial Planner Dear Mr. Miller: Introduction My husband just passed and I am worried—really worried. Do we have money? Yes, I think so. The problem is, I really … Read more
SELLING A HOUSE OF A LONG AGO DECEDENT –FINDING THE DEATH CERTIFICATE… Introduction Title Insurance Company Involvement Death Certificate from County Clerk Death Certificate–Check Your Files Death Certificate–Prior Sale Death Certificate–Prior Purchase Death Certificate–In Person and Online Dear Mr. Miller: Introduction: My grandmother passed several months ago. We are now ready to sell her house. … Read more
Introduction Capital Gains and the QTip Election House Sold for Less Than Fair Market Value County Property Tax Increase and Non Pro Rata Distribution Distribution Disputes and Liability Conclusion Dear Mr. Miller: Introduction: Ok, my Dad just died. I’m in charge of taking care of everything and getting my brother and sister their shares, everyone … Read more
When Hell Freezes Over I’ll Hire an Attorney Introduction Capital Gains and the QTip Election House Sold for Less Than Fair Market Value County Property Tax Increase and Non Pro Rata Distribution Distribution Disputes and Liability Conclusion Dear Mr. Miller: Introduction: Ok, my Dad just died. I’m in charge of taking care of everything and … Read more
Introduction Keeping Things Less Expensive and Simple(r) Deadlines & Annuities IRA’s Death Tax Exemption Disclaimer A-B Trust Divisions Valuations Conclusion A Survival Guide for Those Left Behind: The Price of a Loved One’s Dying Done Right… Dear Mr. Miller: Introduction: My Dad died last month. I really don’t want to go through the bother of … Read more
Introduction Basic Rule My Daughter’s Conundrum Why Legal Advice Is Necessary County Property Tax Liability Conclusion Dear Mr. Miller: Introduction: My Dad recently died and I’m in charge of tying up the loose ends. My CPA told me that all I need to do is record a document with the county recorder to change title … Read more
Introduction Liability for Wrong Decision Disclaimer Receipt Deposit with County Written Instructions Bank Account for Beneficiary Abandoned Property Conclusion Dear Mr. Miller: Introduction: I am tying up my Dad’s estate. He died a few months ago owning a house in Northern California and $45,000 in the bank. The Trust directed that the house was to … Read more
Planning your own funeral may seem like a daunting task, but it is also an area rife with problems for surviving family members. We often think about how an estate plan may affect our loved ones and whether it will create strife. However, particularly when a parent dies, siblings may have trouble determining how “nice” … Read more
When a death in the family is imminent, potential beneficiaries often want to know what they will receive and when. It is a natural part of wanting to plan one’s own finances and, when other family relationships are strained, to make sure others are not taking advantage of an ill family member. However, speaking to … Read more
We typically think of estate planning in the affirmative, as in who are we going to give our assets to upon our deaths. However, sometimes one of the most difficult estate planning decisions couples make is who not to give assets to, particularly when the person is your child. Deciding to disinherit someone is never … 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 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 ...
Dear Mr. Miller: About ten years ago, my husband and I paid an attorney to create a Living Trust. We signed all the documents and put them in a safe p...
