Long-Term Care Planning
Explore care at home and other living arrangements, prepare for the possibility of facility care, and review legal options related to paying for care. We consider your needs alongside the people who depend on you.
D.B. Hill, A Professional Law Corporation · ELDER LAW DIVISION
California Elder Law Planning
for You and Your Family
Plan for the care you may need.
Protect the people and wishes that matter most.
Aging brings decisions about care, finances, and the future. We help California families understand their options and take the next step with a plan that reflects their lives.
Serving California families · Placer, Sacramento, Yuba, Yolo & Sutter counties
YOUR LIFETIME. YOUR FAMILY. YOUR LEGACY.
A plan for living,
as well as what comes next.
Who will manage your finances if you cannot? How will care be paid for? What should happen to the people and property you care about?
Elder Law brings these questions together. Whether you are preparing early or responding to a change in a loved one’s needs, the Law Offices of Dennis B. Hill can help you identify the legal issues and consider a practical path forward.
HOW WE CAN HELP
California Elder Law Services
Estate Planning
Build or update wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and related documents to reflect your wishes during life and after death. Your lifetime needs and intentions for loved ones belong in the same conversation.
Special Needs Planning
Plan for a person with a disability while considering the public benefits they may depend on. We help families evaluate suitable trust arrangements and the potential effect of an inheritance or other support.
Guardianship & Alternatives
Consider ways to support a loved one’s decisions without guardianship where appropriate. When a court proceeding is needed, we help families understand the process and the responsibilities involved.
Probate, Estate & Trust Administration
Get help understanding the duties that follow a death. We assist families and fiduciaries with probate and estate or trust administration, with an emphasis on organization and clear communication.
Aging & Disability Guidance
Start with your concerns, even if you do not know which service to request. We help identify the legal questions, consider relevant resources, and determine an appropriate next step.
WHY PLAN AHEAD?
Care decisions affect the whole family.
A spouse may still need income for everyday expenses. Adult children may be coordinating care alongside work. A family member with a disability may need ongoing support. A thoughtful plan considers these needs together.
Care may be funded through personal resources, applicable insurance, or public programs for people who qualify. The appropriate approach depends on your circumstances, timing, and applicable law.
California Medi-Cal planning requires individual review.
Eligibility is not determined by a single savings figure. Because California is a "share of cost" state rather than an "income cap" state, Qualified Income Trusts (Miller Trusts) are generally not used; instead, excess income is addressed through a monthly spend-down or share-of-cost calculation. In addition, long-term care eligibility involves asset limits, exempt versus non-exempt property determinations, and transfer-of-asset rules. Always seek individual legal advice before transferring money, gifts, or real property.
GETTING STARTED
A conversation is the first step.
01 · Tell us what you need
Share a brief overview and your preferred contact information using the appointment request below.
02 · The office follows up
We will discuss scheduling, meeting options, and any consultation fees before confirming your appointment.
03 · Discuss your priorities
Talk through immediate concerns, longer-term goals, and the legal services that may fit your situation.
DO YOU HAVE THE ANSWERS?
Questions California Families Ask
Start with the questions on your mind. Select a question below to read the answer.
What if one of us needs expensive long-term care?
Begin with a review of care needs, available resources, long-term care insurance, and public benefit programs such as Medi-Cal. California has eliminated the asset limit for Medi-Cal eligibility, but income requirements, qualification criteria, and estate recovery rules still require careful navigation. We help you explore legal and financial options to ensure quality care while protecting your family's financial stability.
Can I protect my spouse who is still able to live at home?
Yes. Under California Medi-Cal rules, spousal impoverishment provisions protect the community spouse living at home. While California eliminated the Medi-Cal asset limit, rules such as the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA) allow the community spouse to retain sufficient monthly income. We can evaluate how these protections, along with Medi-Cal estate recovery safeguards, apply to your home and ongoing household expenses.
What if one of us can no longer make financial or medical decisions?
Planning while you retain legal capacity ensures you decide who steps in. In California, this is handled through a Durable Power of Attorney for financial matters and an Advance Health Care Directive (which combines a medical power of attorney and a living will) for healthcare decisions. Without these instruments in place, your family may have to petition the California probate court for a formal conservatorship.
What happens to everything after we are both gone?
A comprehensive California estate plan determines how your assets pass and who administers them. Because California probate can be costly and lengthy for estates over statutory thresholds, revocable living trusts are commonly used alongside pour-over wills, beneficiary designations, and property deeds to transfer assets privately and avoid court intervention.
What happens to my child with special needs after we are both gone?
Long-term planning should coordinate supplemental financial support with vital public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medi-Cal. A properly drafted California Special Needs Trust (SNT)—often paired with a CalABLE account—enables you to leave funds for your child's care without disqualifying them from government assistance. We assist with structure, funding, and naming reliable trustees.
California planning resources: Medi-Cal eligibility · Estate recovery rules · Powers of attorney · Advance health care directives · CalABLE accounts · VA Aid and Attendance.
LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR NEXT STEP
Request a Free Meet and Greet Elder Law Appointment
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Please provide only a general overview. Do not include Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, medical records, or confidential documents. This is an appointment request; the office will confirm availability and any consultation fees (generally, the initial meeting is at no cost to you).
Texas Elder Law Appointment Request
D.B. Hill A Professional Law Corp · Elder Law Division
(916) 975-9794 ·
Dennis@DbHillLaw.com
Mailing address: 605 Lincoln Blvd, Ste 200, Lincoln, CA 95648
Meetings by appointment; the office will confirm the location or meeting format.
This page provides general information about California Elder Law services, not legal advice for a particular situation. Sending an inquiry does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Representation requires the firm’s acceptance and an engagement agreement. Privacy policy.
