Law Firm Overview

ELDER LAW: we assist seniors and their families plan for long term care and incapacity, with a view toward preserving the family home and savings,  and qualifying for government subsidies where appropriate.  Client needs are addressed by a multi-faceted approach, which takes account of the client's assets, income, estate plan, long term care needs and public benefits.  Our approach  may include the development of customized plans to (1) acclerate eligibility for government subsidies to assist with the cost of long term care, such as the Medi-Cal program, (2) preserve the family home and savings, (3) minimize exposure to Medi-Cal recovery or so-called 'pay back', and (4) address incapacity issues. Our services include the preparation of  customized Durable Powers of Attorney, Living Trusts, Wills, specialized Irrevocable Trusts to preserve the Family Home, strategic planning to qualify for public benefits where appropriate, and counseling in regard to Veterans Benefits, SSI and other public entitlement programs. We are frequently asked to speak to groups of seniors, tax-planning professionals, disability support groups & other community groups throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, including many Bay Area Hospitals.  We devote a considerable part of our practice to counseling caregivers, often on referral from not-for-profit community organizations, social workers, and other attorneys.

FAMILY LAW: One of our principals is a Certified Family Law Specialist by the California State Bar and has practiced in this field over 25 years, handling many different kinds of cases--both simple and complex--involving division of assets, property, businesses, pensions, support, custody, and interstate matters.

Sophisticated computer software is used in case preparation to enhance case development, increase efficiency and reduce cost.

• Require a Retainer

• Hourly fee

Areas of Practice

• Elder Law
• Wills & Estates

Published Works

• Consumer's Guide To Medi-Cal Planning: How To Finance Nursing Home Care For Your Loved One Without Going Broke, 2004
• Co-Author, "Family Law Issues In Planning For Persons With Disabilities", Ch. 4 of " SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS, PLANNING, ADMINISTERING & TERMINATING", 2 Volume Work, Continuing Education of the Bar, 2008
• Dividing The Family Home, Legal Secretaries Association, California

West Practice Categories

Estate Planning, Elder Law, Wills, Probate & Estate Administration, Estate Administration, Trusts