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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Elder Law Articles

Medi-Cal Funds Safe – For Now…

By merv,

In the ongoing effort to balance the state’s budget amid the economic downturn, the State of California decided late last year to cut Medi-Cal reimbursement rates by 10%.  In the ongoing effort to preserve their fees, various professional organizations including the California Hospital Association sued. Last week U.S. District Judge Christina A. Snyder gave a  … Read more


Remarried? Does Your Living Trust Mention Your New Spouse….

By merv,

Nearly 49% of all marriages in the United States contained a remarried spouse and for the state of California it is believed to be even higher. It’s important that estate planning documents are updated and beneficiary designations on accounts such as annuities, life insurance policies and retirement plans are changed accordingly. If a person creates  … Read more


Extra! Extra! Extra cash, that is…

By merv,

Beginning last month veterans who qualified for V.A. Aid and Attendance Non Service Connected Pension finally saw an increase in their checks.  Although most people feel the cost of living has certainly been rising since 2009, V.A. Aid and Attendance benefits were stagnant.  Well, no more!  The Congressional Budget Office recommended standard of living increases,  … Read more


Do I Need an Attorney to Apply for Medi-Cal

By merv,

Do I Need an Attorney to Apply for Medi-Cal? Introduction Qualify the Easy Way Recovery The Problem Transmutation Agreement What Lawyers Accomplish Introduction: Those who wish to qualify for Medi-Cal (Medicaid outside of California) need to meet certain net worth requirements. California’s version allows the disabled spouse to have no more than $2000 while the  … Read more


Trying to Help Mom–Is it Financial Elder Abuse?

By merv,

Last June we talked about California stepping up and strengthening it’s laws against elder abuse.  As we’ve also discussed before, the bulk of the U.S. population lies with the baby boomers and the baby boomers are aging.   The latest U.S. Census Bureau brief on data from the 2010 Census shows seniors increasing faster than the  … Read more


Inheritance Lawsuits: Avoid Them at All Costs!

By merv,

Justice can be an expensive thing. It is the process of presenting evidence in Court and having the court decide in your favor, i.e. receiving a court judgment.  A court judgment is a public acknowledgment that you are right and the other side is wrong.  This then usually results in your receiving a just reward  … Read more


Should I Go After Medi-Cal or VA Benefits–Which is Better?

By merv,

When someone’s health declines to the point that care assistance is needed either in the home or in a facility, it quickly becomes apparent that the cost of this care is quite expensive.  Many folks contact our office for information about and assistance with applying for public benefits for the payment of long term care  … Read more


Why Is Transferring Your House Into Trust SO Important?

By merv,

Just recently we discussed what it means to fund a living trust. It involves transferring the title of your assets from your name to the name of your living trust. For example, a married couple’s bank account might say John & Jane Smith, joint account holders. To transfer it to a living trust John &  … Read more


The “No Estate” Myth!

By merv,

With the troubled economic times we have faced, many people believe that estate planning will be unnecessary.  The offer reasons, such as “My house is under water so there will be nothing left,” or “I don’t have an estate.”  Especially savvy legal consumers might say, “My estate is worth less than $150,000 so no probate  … Read more


Worried About Your Parents?– Want to Have “The Conversation?”

By merv,

Worried About Your Parents?  Want to Have The Conversation? Introduction What Do You Want to Accomplish Getting It Started Living Expenses Health Insurance Long Term Care Estate Planning How to Handle It Other Resources Introduction: At some point in time, the roles reverse and the child starts worrying about the parent. Since my wife’s and  … 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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