Medi-Cal Recovery: What It Is and How to Avoid It
When a Medi-Cal beneficiary dies in California, the state can seek repayment for some of the Medi-Cal services provided to the decedent. This is “Medi-Cal recovery.” Proper estate planning can preserve the inheritance(s) you leave to your heir(s) by placing your assets into vehicles that are exempt from Medi-Cal recovery.
Acronym Soup: AHCD, HIPAA, POLST and DNR
Lawyers throw around a LOT of jargon. And if anyone uses more jargon than lawyers, it’s doctors. So when you need to make legal decisions about your medical care, you’re likely to be smacked in the face with unpronounceable acronyms and copious fine print. But if ever there was a time to read the fine print, this is it.
What Is Probate?
Probate is the court procedure used to verify the validity of a will and to distribute a decedent's property after their death. In California, an estate in excess of $184,500 must be “probated” whether or not there is a valid will.
California Law on Elder Abuse
Before we opened our private practice, Teresa and I were legal aid attorneys at a non-profit organization that exclusively served older adults. Many of our clients there were victims of elder abuse. The abuse was physical, emotional, financial—often a combination.