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California Elder Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Elder Law, Probate and Estate Planning for California on
Q: Can bundle a petition for conservatorship with a request for reasonable compensation and unreimbursed expenses?

Two beneficiaries of a revocable trust stated in California removed funds held in trust by me to deny me reasonable compensation and unreimbursed expenses. One of the beneficiaries was my soon-to-be ex-husband. The trustor is my mother-in-law and I believe her to be financially incompetent and had... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 21, 2024

In California, it is possible to address your situation through legal proceedings, but the strategy involves careful consideration of the complexities involved in trust and conservatorship law. When dealing with a conservatorship petition, specifically if you believe a party to be financially... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law for California on
Q: My father's 84 his girlfriend now manages his money what can we do to make sure his money is being spent correctly

Within the last year sold the family home and moved to a new house in which the girlfriend now has her name on it

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Feb 15, 2024

In California, if you're concerned about your father's financial management by his girlfriend, especially with significant changes like selling the family home and her name being added to the new property, you might consider a few steps. First, have a candid conversation with your father... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for California on
Q: My elderly father's girlfriend is in control of his money I don't think he's mentally capable of his banking

The family home was sold recently a new home was bought and now she has her name on it

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answered on Feb 21, 2024

Given your concerns about your elderly father's mental capacity and his girlfriend's control over his finances, it's essential to take steps to protect your father's interests. Start by discussing your concerns with your father in a supportive and non-confrontational manner.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Elder Law and Public Benefits for California on
Q: Can i extricate myself from my brother in law in my financial matters?

I am on sec 8 housing, widowers SS. I am 68. I turned over my financial life to my, now 80 year old brother in law (BiL). I have a trust from my mother that I allowed (?) him to be trustee. I do not know what kind of trust it is, how much it had and how much is in it. I dont have a copy of the... View More

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answered on Feb 21, 2024

Given the complexity of your situation, it is advisable to seek legal assistance promptly. You have the right to understand and have control over your own financial affairs, including any trusts or bank accounts in your name. It's crucial to obtain a copy of the trust documents to understand... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law, Estate Planning, Banking and Probate for California on
Q: I have a legit poa over my friend because I take care of everything for him the bank denied it and want to take over his

Account they are constantly sending the aging people to our house and he tells them the same thing no matter who he talks to that he knows where his money is going and the bank still froze his accounts

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 21, 2024

If the bank has denied your legitimate power of attorney (POA) over your friend's affairs and frozen his accounts, it's crucial to take prompt action to address the situation. First, review the specific terms of the POA document to ensure it complies with California law and contains all... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law and Elder Law for California on
Q: How do I fire a attorney who has not kept me in the loop and has funds of my inheritance
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answered on Feb 21, 2024

If your attorney has not kept you informed about your case and has not provided updates regarding the status of your inheritance funds, you have the right to terminate the attorney-client relationship. Begin by sending a formal written notice to your attorney expressing your dissatisfaction with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: What elderly tenant laws apply for eviction of 50+ years renting space in Morgan Hill.?Can property be sold no notice?

Worried with no money to relocate. Our 3-bedroom mobile home was demolished. We packed their belongings sister bought a mobile home in an adult park and moved them both in.

The move and change of surroundings affected both parents' health. My father's passed 6 months later.... View More

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answered on Feb 21, 2024

In California, several laws protect elderly tenants, including those over the age of 65, especially in situations involving eviction and displacement due to property sale or redevelopment. For tenants who have lived in their rental unit for over a year, landlords must provide at least 60 days'... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law and Health Care Law for California on
Q: The hospital served me with a 30 day eviction notice. Is this something hospitals can do? Is it legal?
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answered on Feb 8, 2024

In California, hospitals themselves do not have the authority to serve eviction notices as they are not landlords in the traditional sense of a housing or rental agreement. However, if the hospital is acting on behalf of a connected skilled nursing facility, assisted living, or another type of... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for California on
Q: Hospital is forcing an unsafe discharge in retaliation to my filing a sexual assault charge.i am an elder.

I am currently hospitalized. I was sexually assaulted by a nurse in the hospital. I filed charges. When I recently expressed concerns about my safety, they evicted me stating I turned down safe discharge planning. I did not, but they refuse to respond or tell me what those discharge options were.... View More

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answered on Feb 22, 2024

In California, patients have rights under both state and federal laws that protect them from discrimination, abuse, and unsafe discharge practices, especially elders and those in vulnerable situations. After filing a charge of sexual assault, it's critical that your safety and well-being... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for California on
Q: hired an in home care co for 24hr care for my grandma. We paid the company weekly and they sent their workers who

Would rotate and show up on their own and leave when their shift was over. Grandma past away and now one of the workers is suing grandmas estate for unpaid overtime but we didn’t hire her, we hired a company and paid them weekly. Is this suit against us legitimate?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 3, 2024

Under California law, you may not be liable for the worker's overtime claim. Since you hired an in-home care company and paid them directly, you had a contractual relationship with the company, not the individual workers. The company is responsible for complying with employment laws, including... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law and Stockbroker Fraud for California on
Q: California - A financial advisor commits financial abuse, to accomplish is scheme he manipulates to remove protector

he picked an attorney for the senior to remove the CEO of the family business, make libel and slanderous statements that cost him his 20 year marriage, and they steal his interest in the company costing him millions. The advisor gets investigated by FINRA and loses his license. but with attorneys... View More

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answered on Jan 31, 2024

Under California law, the CEO may have several legal avenues to pursue against the financial advisor and the firm. Given the complexity of the situation, including financial abuse, libel, slander, and potential interference with business relations, multiple causes of action could be considered.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Probate for California on
Q: Sister#2 hired fiduciary, holding #1's 2.5 million for sister & family. No return to #1. Is this even legal?

Feduciary denies holding #1's (sister's) money for beneficiary #2 who originally hired fiduciary to be conservator. This fiduciary using excuses, denies wrong doing but shows no sign of returning #1's money. 1# has early dementia and has dedicated friend of 28 years helping with... View More

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answered on Jan 18, 2024

Under California law, a fiduciary, such as a conservator, is legally obligated to act in the best interests of the person they are representing, in this case, your sister #1. If your sister #1 has early dementia and has appointed a fiduciary, the fiduciary is responsible for managing her affairs in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Elder Law and Estate Planning for California on
Q: My grandmother has a will she's 91 and she wishes to add more family members do lawyers make house calls to help

Is it free for senior citizens

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 18, 2024

Lawyers can make house calls to assist with legal matters such as amending a will, especially for senior citizens who may have mobility issues. However, whether this service is offered and any associated costs can vary depending on the law firm and the location.

While some attorneys may...
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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Probate for California on
Q: Can a fiduciary be removed by the individual they are p.o.a. of?

In the case I am asking a question about, the court prescribed fiduciary has been seemingly intruding in the bill paying that the primary has been taking care with the help of a long term friend and there is no evidence that there is need for the fiduciary.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 16, 2024

In California, if a court has appointed a fiduciary, such as a power of attorney (POA), the individual who granted the POA typically cannot unilaterally remove the fiduciary. This is especially true if the individual's capacity to make such decisions is in question, which is often the case... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate, Elder Law and Estate Planning for California on
Q: I need help in proving an individual is illegally selling property for his own benefit.the house was transfered by inter

Family transfer. The owner sold it to a trust in her name and she died one week later. She had no family and I did everything from cleaning to grocery shopping for two plus years. They have asserted themselves in her life two months before she passed in nursing home they put her in. He has... View More

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answered on Jan 14, 2024

This situation raises serious concerns about potential elder abuse and fraudulent activities related to estate and trust management. In California, there are laws to protect individuals from such exploitation, especially in the context of probate and trust matters.

First, you should gather...
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2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law, Wrongful Death, Estate Planning and Probate for California on
Q: My friend had no family I helped her be able to live at home. Stuff happened and she went to the hospital. She ended up

Never going back to her home. Two people/ old neighbors a mother and son took over her (everything). They conned her and are almost selling her house which he put to a trust in her name at his address. She had zero family they knew this because her daughter died a year earlier. Is it too late to... View More

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answered on Jan 13, 2024

Under California law, it's important to act quickly in situations like this. If you suspect that your friend has been a victim of financial abuse or undue influence, especially by someone with a questionable past, it's advisable to consult an attorney. An attorney can help investigate the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Elder Law and Probate for California on
Q: Is an older person who is able to care for herself with a dedicated long term friend's help, Incapacitated?

The person described in the question was mandated to have a fiduciary when she was caring for herself with a friend`s help and she had a very good credit rating. The fiduciary does little but intrude in the bill paying process and charge a lot of money!

Klaus Gottlieb
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answered on Jan 13, 2024

Under California's new supported decision-making law, an older person who can manage daily life with a friend's help is not necessarily incapacitated. This law allows individuals to make their own decisions with support, rather than needing a fiduciary or conservatorship. If the person is... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Health Care Law for California on
Q: My 88 yr old mother has five children named as Health Care Surrogates. Both my sister and I are named POA on Trust.

My mom has stage 6 Alzheimers and is in CA Memory Care. Her overall health is excellent for her age and is mobile at all levels. Two Surrogates want to relocate her to another Memory Care in CA. The other three to a Memory Care in FL where she had lived and all her Trust/Health Care Directives were... View More

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answered on Jan 13, 2024

Hi Dennis,

In California, when multiple individuals are named as Health Care Surrogates without specific instructions on how decisions should be made, the situation can become complex. There is no automatic rule that 'majority rules' in these cases. Ideally, the Health Care...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Tax Law and Elder Law for California on
Q: Can you have a grantor and trustee that's not same person using online version of IRS Form SS-4? (Irrevocable Trust)

I am attempting for apply online for an EIN for a irrevocable trust. My mother is the grantor and I am the successor trustee. I have tried several options and it always lists either myself or my mother as both grantor and trustee. Is there a way to do this online or do I need to mail/fax the form... View More

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answered on Jan 4, 2024

When applying for an EIN for an irrevocable trust online using IRS Form SS-4, it's not uncommon to encounter limitations in how the form handles the roles of grantor and trustee. The online system may have restrictions or default settings that do not easily accommodate different individuals in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Real Estate Law, Elder Law and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: LOOKING FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN LAWYER IN SOLANO COUNTY

FALSE CONTRACT ADVERTISEMENT FROM REALESTATE CO.

LANLORD NEVER DO REPAIRS AND BOTH THESE TWO BUSINESS PEOPLE LIED TO ME AND ASKED A HUGH MONEY

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 28, 2023

To address your situation, you might want to consult with a lawyer who can provide specific guidance under California law. A lawyer can help you understand your rights, particularly if you're facing issues with false advertising and a landlord who is not fulfilling their obligations for... View More

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