Meissner Joseph Ruggles, Inc. Legal Blog

In a conservatorship of the estate, there may be several types of transactions that need to be handled by the conservator of the estate which requires the court to specifically approve.  This is where a petition for substituted judgment is used.  Basically, it is...

The Social Security Administration announced in March 2024 that it will be omitting food from in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) calculations starting September 30, 2024.  Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly payments to adults and children with a...

I went to law school because I did not want to do math! I am kidding, but that is the current joke among attorneys.  We deal with math every day, and particularly in my field of practice, accounting is a constant in many of my matters.  Trustee prepared accountings...

Meissner Joseph Ruggles, Inc. is pleased to announce the re-opening of our firm’s office in Davis!  For many years we have been privileged to serve clients in the greater Yolo and Solano County areas and we are very excited to again offer a more accessible and...

If you have a beneficiary who is or may receive housing assistance under Section 8, formally known as Housing Choice Voucher Program, you should be aware of the new asset and income restrictions that went into effect on January 1, 2024.  The new provisions were...

A common discussion that we have with married couples is whether a disclaimer trust is an appropriate option in their estate plan.    Part of that discussion is explaining a disclaimer trust and its pros and cons.  This post will summarize that discussion, but it is...

Acting as Trustee can be a thankless job.  If you have ever been a trustee, you are well aware that it is a lot of work and, depending on the beneficiaries, can be very time consuming and stressful.  Luckily, I can represent Trustees rather than be a trustee. ...

The question regarding the options for someone under the age of 18 to receive cash assets from an estate, a trust, a settlement, or through a beneficiary designation comes up a lot.  So long as the minor is not emancipated or married, a court proceeding will likely be...

It is always a fun question to ask my clients, especially my younger clients, who they want to have access to their cell phones.  Our handheld computers have become the new diary for many, and you may not want certain people to have full access to your “diary” – I am...

A new topic in my conversations with proposed conservators is whether a supported decision-making agreement is an option in lieu of filing to be appointed a conservator.  As of 2024, the Confidential Supplemental Information form – one of the many court filings for a...