How to File for Conservatorship in Orange County, CA By Sandra McCarthy|June 8th, 2022|California Courts, Probate| An elderly parent suffers a fall and can't get around anymore. An octogenarian starts falling prey to scams targeting the elderly, losing tens of thousands of dollars. An adult sibling is in a horrible car accident, leaving them incapacitated and requiring substantial medical treatment and powerful drugs. If any of these things happen to [...] Read More 2
How to File for Conservatorship in Kern County, CA By Sandra McCarthy|June 1st, 2022|California Courts, Family Law, Probate| There are quite a few reasons someone might not be able to care for themselves, and governments recognize this. That's why the constitutions of most countries make provisions for legal caretakers and decision-makers. In the United States, when an adult is unable to take care of themselves, they can be placed in a conservatorship. [...] Read More 0
How to File for Conservatorship in Alameda County, CA By Sandra McCarthy|May 18th, 2022|California Courts, Family Law, Probate| An estimated 1.3 million Americans are currently under conservatorships, according to The National Council on Disability. That 1.3 million is made up of all kinds of people—from elderly infirm individuals to people with mental health barriers to the rich and famous. If you're associated with one of those situations in Alameda County, CA, as [...] Read More 0
How to File for Conservatorship in Santa Clara County, California By Sandra McCarthy|April 18th, 2022|California Courts, Probate| Nobody wants to end up in a conservatorship, but these arrangements can be a literal lifesaver for many people. A conservatorship permits a responsible grownup to take care of an adult who can’t care for themselves. If you’re a resident of Santa Clara County and you have a loved one who needs help, you [...] Read More 0
What Is a Conservatorship Account? By Sandra McCarthy|March 30th, 2022|Conservatorship| According to the National Council on Disability, there are an estimated 1.3 million Americans under conservatorships and guardianships right now. All kinds of people can be subject to such an arrangement—everyone from elderly infirm individuals to celebrities like Britney Spears. If you’re involved in one of those 1.3 million cases as a conservator (or are [...] Read More 0
What Is Conservatorship Abuse? By Sandra McCarthy|March 9th, 2022|California Courts, Probate| In recent years, cases of conservatorship abuse have captured the public eye. Although conservatorship mostly applies to the elderly, any incapacitated individual above 18 years can end up in a conservatorship arrangement. And with more attention on conservatorships in general, many people worry about conservatorship abuse. If a conservator financially or physically abuses a conservatee, [...] Read More 0
Conservatorship Scams: What to Look For By Sandra McCarthy|March 2nd, 2022|California Courts, Family Law, Probate| It's a sad story, one we hear on the news from time to time: a vulnerable, elderly person is robbed by their own conservator. It’s a bitter tale, and it's all too common. You never want to hear that someone close to you has fallen victim to a conservatorship scam. Concerned? To establish whether someone [...] Read More 0
Is It Time to Set Up an Elderly Conservatorship? By Sandra McCarthy|February 23rd, 2022|Family Law, Probate| Aging may be a privilege denied to many, but not many people like to admit they're enjoying that privilege. For plenty of people, part of the aging process is becoming subject to a conservatorship. If you have a loved one who is becoming unable to care for themselves, you may wonder: is it time to [...] Read More 0
What Is Guardianship and Conservatorship? An Explanation in Plain English By Sandra McCarthy|February 14th, 2022|Family Law, Probate| Guardianships and conservatorships exist to help people who can't always help themselves. However, unlike other states, California defines guardianship and conservatorship as two completely different arrangements. Both have to do with caring for someone who can't care for themselves, but they have separate meanings and applications. So, what is guardianship and conservatorship in the [...] Read More 0
Conservatorship vs Guardianship in California: Which Is Right for Me? By Sandra McCarthy|February 2nd, 2022|California Courts, Family Law, Probate| Most people have no idea what conservatorship or guardianship is, let alone the difference between the two. And for good reason! These two words can mean completely different things depending on which state you live in. For example, California and Texas have totally separate interpretations of guardianships. This makes the conservatorship vs guardianship question a [...] Read More 0
Estate Planning 101 for Californians: Here Are the Basics By Sandra McCarthy|January 25th, 2022|California Courts, Estate Planning| Do you have an estate plan? If you live in California, do you know the basics of estate planning in the Golden State? If your answer is "no," it's time for Estate Planning 101. An estate plan is a must for every adult, but before planning your estate, you need to understand the estate [...] Read More 0
State Specific Estate Planning Laws for Californians: What You Need to Know By Sandra McCarthy|January 12th, 2022|Estate Planning| Are estate planning laws the same in every state? Definitely not! That's why if you've recently moved from one state to another, let’s say North Dakota to California, you might have some reading about state specific estate planning laws ahead of you. The same goes if you own a business with outlets in many [...] Read More 0
Why and How You Can Plan Your Estate Today By Sandra McCarthy|January 10th, 2022|Estate Planning| According to Forbes, most people avoid estate planning. They might feel they're too busy and will get it done at a later time in their lives. They may also fear the expense. Finally, some people also perceive estate planning as some kind of jinx. If you're like the average Joe, you may prefer to live [...] Read More 0
Is Conservatorship Valid After Death? By Sandra McCarthy|December 27th, 2021|Probate| Conservatorships are supposed to help folks who are no longer able to take care of themselves. If you have elderly or incapacitated loved ones, this is likely a subject you've encountered before. But what happens to the conservatorship when the incapacitated individual dies? Is conservatorship valid after death? This is a reasonable question if [...] Read More 2
6 Critical Estate Planning Tools Explained By Sandra McCarthy|December 20th, 2021|Estate Planning| "Nothing is certain but death and taxes," as Benjamin Franklin famously said. That's why estate planning is so critical; you know life has to end eventually, so you might as well be prepared. To get started, you'll need to know about some of the best estate planning tools. There are plenty of estate planning [...] Read More 0
The Difference Between Elder Law and Estate Planning By Sandra McCarthy|December 13th, 2021|Estate Planning| "Aging is a privilege denied to many." This saying rings so true, and we should treasure our time on this earth as we grow older. But there are also certain complications, such as elder estate planning, that come into play as we (or our loved ones) accrue more birthdays. Elder Law and estate planning [...] Read More 0
10 Benefits of Estate Planning (in California) You Need to Know By Sandra McCarthy|November 29th, 2021|Estate Planning| Plenty of people think estate planning is only for elderly, wealthy individuals. They may think estate planning holds few benefits for those who are younger or of modest means. The truth is, you don't have to be rich and elderly to reap the benefits of estate planning! You can benefit from it right now. [...] Read More 0
What Is a Conservatorship Specialist? By Sandra McCarthy|November 22nd, 2021|Probate| Many people become incapacitated at some point in their lives. This is usually due to old age, protracted illness, or both. And when this occurs, a conservatorship arrangement can help care for the incapacitated individual. If you're a good candidate to become a conservator for a loved one and you're in need of guidance, [...] Read More 0
Elder Law and Estate Planning: What You Need to Know By Sandra McCarthy|November 10th, 2021|Estate Planning| How do elder law and estate planning compare? Although the two terms go hand in hand, they have significant differences. If you're in a situation where you're dealing with either—perhaps a loved one is getting older, or maybe you yourself are entering your golden years—it's crucial to learn about both. Whatever your reasons, if [...] Read More 0
Digital Assets Estate Planning: What You Need to Know By Sandra McCarthy|November 8th, 2021|Estate Planning| We can't overemphasize the importance of having an estate plan. And while estate planning is as old as personal assets, with the growth of technology over decades past, there’s so much more to talk about. Instead of just giving away your house and car, you now have to consider digital assets estate planning. When [...] Read More 0