November 9, 2024
CALL TO REQUEST A FREE CONSULTATION - 714-459-1999
Let Us Help You Navigate Through This Stage Of Life
Geisler Patterson Law helps seniors plan for the future with wills, trusts, advanced directives, and other elder law services.
Our Promise
We Advocate for Seniors and Their Loved Ones
As you age, you go through numerous life changes.
Many of the changes such as retirement and spending more time with family are welcome; however, you will face challenges as well.
From deteriorating health to concerns about finances, these issues can be overwhelming. Fortunately, at Geisler Patterson, we can help you navigate through the complexities of aging. We are advocates for the elderly and their families and will design a strategy to protect you during this stage of life.
You're Not Alone
Living With Dementia
In 2024, hundreds of thousands of people will receive the shattering news of an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis.
This new book from a recognized local expert and elder-care attorney, Martha Patterson, shares critical information and guidance for people recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Inside Our FREE Guide You Will Learn:
Legal Services
Premier Legal Advice For The Following Practice Areas
Elder Law
We will begin with a free strategy session that will go over ways you can protect yourself and your loved ones. We then can develop a plan that might include a will, trust, long-term care planning, advanced directives, and more.
Wills And Trusts
A will is typically the first document created for an estate plan. It will determine who will receive your assets when you pass away and must go through probate before the assets are distributed.
Medi-Cal Planning
At Geisler Patterson, we can help you transfer non-exempt assets out of your estate so you can qualify for long-term care through Medi-Cal. At the same time, your loved ones can inherit those assets when you pass away.
Conservatorship
If your loved one is incapacitated and requires care, you can petition the court for a conservatorship. Geisler Patterson can assist with the process.
What Our Clients Are Saying...
BECAUSE IT'S OUR CLIENTS WHO MATTER MOST
Martha Patterson is the complete package for Legal Elder Care...
N. Vavra
With Martha’s patience, guidance and understanding we made it through the most difficult times. Only wish we had found her sooner! She is the complete package for Legal Elder Care and will give you everything you need to make the right decisions. One tough lady, so glad she was in our corner.
You can’t do any better than Martha Patterson
Dennis E. Wilson, Reseda, CA
I’m a very satisfied client! I’d searched online for Elder Law attorneys. I wound up speaking with several, including Martha Patterson. There was no comparison. She came across as extremely knowledgeable about the issues that were important to my wife and me. Martha inspired great confidence because she knew her stuff! She was able to help us successfully qualify for Medi-Cal. You can’t do any better than Martha Patterson; she was concerned, compassionate and caring!
She’s given me peace-of-mind...
Joann DuPuis, Sylmar, CA
I’d heard about Martha Patterson from a friend, and am sure glad I did! I had a lot of questions about healthcare for my sister, and Martha answered every one of them. Getting Medi-Cal is complicated so it was good to have someone like Martha fighting on our behalf. She’s given me peace-of-mind, and you can’t beat that! I’ve had a very good feeling about Martha, and I certainly recommend that others go speak with her.
Get A Free
Consultation!
DISCOVER HOW AN ELDER LAW ATTORNEY CAN HELP YOU
We’ll review your situation with you and provide a quote for the services you need and only the services you need.
Advanced Directives
You likely have specific wishes regarding your health and finances and are worried about what will happen if you become incapacitated.
Advanced directives will ensure that your wishes are honored, even if you cannot make decisions for yourself. Our Orange County elder law attorney can help you create powers of attorney for healthcare and finances, along with a living will.
You will name an agent who will step in and make decisions for you if you cannot care for yourself. The person will use your living will as a guide when managing your healthcare. By having the documents in place, your family won’t have to go to court to get the right to make decisions for you.
Special Needs Trust
Helping a disabled family member can sometimes be a trying issue, as not many understand what it is you have to go through. While you do so willingly, it can be a difficult process to deal with medical insurance companies, medical expenses, and a small mountain of red tape.
Martha Patterson is a special needs trust attorney who knows what you’re going through and has experience with cases similar to yours. Just that understanding alone can mean a lot in your struggle to keep your family comfortable and safe.
Trust Administration
This is an important position of honor and trust. It shows that the trust’s creator thinks highly of you and your character.
But what happens when you become responsible for administering a trust? You might assume that because the revocable living trust avoids the costs and hassles of probate, there is not much after-death administration.
Compared to probate, there isn’t. However, tax and fiduciary laws still apply. Pitfalls still abound, and they can cost you a fortune.
Get a Free Consultation
Discover how an Elder Law attorney can put your mind at ease
Medi-Cal Planning
Did you know that thousands of Americans eligible for Medi-Cal for nursing home care never even apply for benefits? Yet postponing or avoiding this process means you could be wasting thousands of dollars every year.
This is especially true if you are married and your loved one is in a skilled nursing home.
Nursing home costs will deplete your life’s savings unless you have done proper planning. Don’t let a loved one do without because you didn’t qualify for Medi-Cal to pay for the care received in a nursing home.
What Our Clients Are Saying...
BECAUSE IT'S OUR CLIENTS WHO MATTER MOST
Martha was very helpful.
Angela Gapastione, Simi Valley, CA
I’d heard about Martha Patterson from an acquaintance. I was needing help in obtaining VA benefits for my father and Martha was very helpful. She had a good understanding of what needed to be done and was successful for us. Martha’s very easy to talk to and ask questions. She’s a good listener. All-in-all it was a very good experience. I also liked that she followed up with us to make sure we were satisfied.
I’d call her a Superwoman!
Craig Waters, Van Nuys, CA
I’m very satisfied with the work that Martha Patterson has done. She really came through! Martha clarified things and made what could’ve been very complicated very easy to understand. I’d call her a Superwoman! I’m continuing to use her services and have recommended her to others. She gets the job done right!
Martha was our rock and always told us everything we need to do...
Molly R.
Martha Patterson helped my husband and I go through the hardest part of our life so far when my mother became ill with dementia and we had no idea what we needed to do. Martha was our rock and always told us everything we needed to do to prepare for what was going to happen during my mom losing her memory and then when she passed away. Martha helped us through all the paperwork and was fast and patient with us.
Get a Free Consultation
Discover how an Elder Law attorney can put your mind at ease
Frequently Asked Questions
Even if you have no will, you have a will. Your assets will go to your “heirs at law.”
Half of your separate property must be put into a separate court-supervised trust for each of your children, restricting your spouse’s ability to use the money.
100% of the assets will be distributed when your child is 18, regardless of maturity level or financial savvy.
Most people do not like the idea of the State deciding who gets their property, and the Judge deciding who will take care of their children without any input from their parents. You will want to dispose of your property in accordance with your wishes and values.
With a living trust , you, as the creator or “grantor” of the trust, maintain complete control over the trust and your property while you are alive. You may amend (change) or revoke (terminate) your trust at any time. You may sell or give away that property as well since you are not restricted in any way.
You are also able to name beneficiaries, appoint a person to be in charge (“the trustee”) and decide how your property will pass at your death, as with a will.
Probate is a Court supervised method of transferring assets. Probate is required if a decedent has more than $150,000 in his or her estate. All Wills are subject to Probate, and must be lodged with the Court.
When a person dies with a Will or without a Will, the assets must be probated to transfer title. Some assets are not subject to Probate. These assets include but are not limited to: joint tenancy property, insurance proceeds not payable to the estate, and retirement benefits not payable to the estate.
WHO WE ARE
Premier Elder Law Attorneys
In Southern California
At Geisler Patterson, we have had the privilege of helping hundreds of families through some of the most difficult times of their life.
Because of the years of education and experience that Martha Patterson has acquired, her ability to explain solutions and provide peace of mind is second to none.
She will ensure that assets are preserved and loved ones will receive the care they need.
We're Here For All Of Your Family's Needs
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| Friday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
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The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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Geisler Patterson Law, 5101 E. La Palma Ave. Suite 100-M, Anaheim, California 92807 - Phone: (714)459-1999