Adell Law Offices

Adell Law Offices provides legal services in the areas of estate planning, probate and trust adminis

10/13/2026

Did you know that a living trust may help protect your estate from Medi-Cal recovery?

Many people don’t realize that after a Medi-Cal recipient passes away, the State of California may seek repayment for certain benefits paid on their behalf after age 55.

Here’s another reason why estate planning matters:

🏡 If your assets are subject to probate, Medi-Cal may have a claim against those assets to recover qualifying benefits.

📋 If your assets are properly held in a revocable living trust, they generally avoid probate—and may therefore be protected from Medi-Cal estate recovery under California’s current rules.

The bottom line: A properly prepared and funded living trust can do more than help your family avoid probate. It may also help preserve the assets you worked hard to build.

10/05/2026

October has a way of sneaking up on us.

Before the holidays, travel, family gatherings and the end-of-the-year rush take over, this is a good time to create an estate plan.

If you don’t have one, you’re not alone. Estate planning is one of those things that is easy to put off. There always seems to be something else that feels more urgent.

But your family, your wishes, and your peace of mind are worth making time for.

09/28/2026

“Now that you know what I want, if something happens to me before I sign, is that good enough?”

It’s a question I hear surprisingly often after an estate planning meeting.

Sadly, the answer is no.

Even if you’ve had a detailed conversation with your attorney about your wishes, even if your attorney has taken detailed notes about your wishes, and even if your attorney has prepared drafts of the estate planning documents reflecting exactly what you want, that is not "good enough."

Estate planning documents have specific legal requirements for ex*****on. Your attorney's knowledge, detailed notes and unsigned drafts are not substitutes for those requirements.

09/24/2026

Some things are built to last thousands of years.

Your estate plan doesn’t need to. Laws change. Families change. Assets change. And your wishes may change, too.

One of the most important parts of estate planning is remembering that your plan should evolve with you.

Review it. Update it. Make sure it still reflects the life you’re living today.

09/21/2026

World Alzheimer’s Day 💜

Today, I’m thinking about the families navigating Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. There can be so much uncertainty and change, along with difficult decisions, new responsibilities, and the challenge of adjusting to a new reality while continuing to care for someone you love.

Having an estate plan in place can help provide some clarity about who can step in to help, how financial matters should be handled, and what your loved one’s wishes are.

Wishing strength, support, and moments of connection to everyone living with Alzheimer’s and to the families and caregivers who are walking alongside them. 💜

09/16/2026

I recently took in a little local culture at Lucha Libre in Mexico City — and, of course, we had to get into the spirit with the masks! The masks and battles are a lot of fun at Lucha Libre. In probate and trust administration, not so much.

After someone dies, emotions can run high, old family dynamics can resurface, and misunderstandings can quickly put people in opposing corners.

Part of my role is helping families avoid that when possible — with clear communication, transparency, practical guidance, and an understanding of what everyone can expect from the process.

Not every disagreement can be avoided, but probate and trust administration don’t have to become a family wrestling match.

09/09/2026

Just because your estate planning documents look official doesn't mean they say or do what you think they do. Looks can be deceiving.

I recently worked on a case where a trust provided that the estate would be held in trust for the decedent’s partner for life—but failed to name anyone to receive the remaining assets after the partner’s death.

This is a significant deficiency that can be overlooked when documents are prepared using an online program, without an attorney who regularly practices in estate planning, or without the time and careful attention an estate plan deserves.

Estate planning documents can feel overwhelming. There may be pages of legal terminology and boilerplate that you don't understand—and that's okay. You don't need to be a lawyer to understand your estate plan. Your attorney should be able to explain it to you in plain English.

When your attorney walks you through your plan, you should be able to understand—and confirm—that it actually does what you intend. At a minimum, you should understand:

• Who manages your assets if you become incapacitated
• How your assets will be managed for your benefit
• Who receives your assets when you die
• What happens after the first beneficiary dies (or if the first beneficiary dies before you)

Don't sign documents you don't understand. Your attorney should take the time to walk you through your plan, answer your questions, and make sure the documents both accomplish what you intend and make sense to you.

09/04/2026

As summer begins to wind down, I hope you all have a chance to enjoy this long weekend, spend time with the people you love, and take a little time to rest and recharge. We all deserve a break now and then!

Our office will be closed Monday, September 7th, in observance of Labor Day, and we will reopen on Tuesday, September 8th.

Wishing you and your families a safe, happy, and relaxing Labor Day weekend. ❤️

08/25/2026

RIP Willis Knotright

Willis thought he could handle his estate plan himself.

Maybe he downloaded a form online. Maybe he scribbled down his wishes on a piece of paper. Maybe he copied a friend's will and plugged in his own information. Or maybe he relied on an attorney friend who was successful in another area of law but did not regularly practice estate planning.

Unfortunately, what seemed simple at the time left his family with unanswered questions, conflicting interpretations, and a lot of arguments after he was gone.

Over the years, I've seen handwritten "wills," incomplete online documents, unclear beneficiary provisions, missing signatures, and plans that failed to account for real-life situations. Too often, these mistakes lead to family conflict, court proceedings, delays, and expenses that could have been avoided.

Estate planning is more complicated than many people realize. There are legal requirements that must be followed, language that must be carefully drafted, and countless "what if" scenarios that should be addressed. What seems straightforward on the surface can create significant problems if it is not done properly. This is one area where trying to do it yourself can end up costing your loved ones far more in the long run.

Don't be like Willis. Make sure your estate plan is done right.

08/18/2026

You Created a Trust... But Did You Forget About Your Beneficiary Designations?

Many people spend the time and money to create a comprehensive estate plan, only to overlook one critical piece of the puzzle: their beneficiary designations.

Assets such as retirement accounts, life insurance policies, annuities, and many investment accounts pass according to the beneficiary designation on file—not according to the instructions in your trust or will.

In other words, even if your trust says one thing, an outdated or inconsistent beneficiary designation may direct those assets somewhere else.

That's why it's so important to think of your beneficiary designations as an integral part of your estate plan—not as separate documents that can be forgotten once they're completed.

When reviewing your estate plan, ask yourself:

• Are my beneficiary designations still current?
• Are they consistent with the goals of my trust?
• Have I named appropriate contingent beneficiaries?
• If my children are still minors, have I considered whether naming them directly is the best option?
• Do these designations still make sense given changes in my family, finances, or overall wishes?

A thoughtfully prepared estate plan is like a puzzle. Your trust, will, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations are all pieces that need to fit together. If one piece is inconsistent or overlooked, your overall plan may not work the way you intended.

Reviewing your beneficiary designations periodically—and whenever there is a significant life change—is one of the simplest and most important steps you can take to help ensure your estate plan works as a whole.

Address

5950 Canoga Avenue , Suite 601
Woodland Hills, CA
91367

Website

http://www.adell-law.com/

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