Plan on It

Episode Summary: In this episode of Plan on It, host Sean O'Connor sits down with Attorney Christopher Botti, a board-Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, to unravel the complexities of the Medi-Cal look back rule. Christopher, with over 30 years of experience, explains the intricacies of California's unique 30-month look back period, distinguishing it from the five-year period common in other states. The...

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Plan on it, Attorney Christopher Botti and co-host Sean O'Connor delve into listener-submitted questions about estate planning. They clarify the roles of trustees and executors, explore the costs associated with trust administration, and discuss the importance of transparency and communication with beneficiaries. Chris explains the steps a trustee should take when a trustor passes away and the le...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Plan On It, Chris Botti delves into the intricacies of Medi-Cal rules for married couples. With over 30 years of experience in estate planning, Chris explains the importance of understanding spousal impoverishment rules, which are designed to protect families from financial ruin when one spouse requires long-term care. They discuss the community spousal resource allowance and how it helps preserv...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Plan On It, Chris Botti dives into critical estate planning questions submitted by listeners. They explore why estate planning is crucial at any age, especially when children are involved, and the common pitfall of procrastination. Chris explains the importance of properly funding a trust and selecting the right trustee, offering insights into potential pitfalls like co-trustee disagreements. The...

Episode Summary:  In this episode of Plan On It, Attorney Christopher Botti, a board-certified specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law, joins host Sean O'Connor to discuss the intricacies of estate planning costs. Chris breaks down the components of a comprehensive estate plan, explaining how careful planning can prevent larger expenses in the future. He emphasizes the value of hiring a specialized attorney over ...

Episode Summary:

In this inaugural episode of the "Ask Chris Anything" Chris Botti tackles common questions about estate planning and living trusts. Chris, a board-certified specialist with over 30 years of experience, clarifies the differences between a will and a living trust, emphasizing the importance of avoiding probate in California. He discusses the appropriate age to create a trust, the process of updating it, and the timel...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Attorney Christopher Botti discusses the importance of a comprehensive estate plan for California families. He emphasizes the synergy of key documents like living trusts, powers of attorney, and the impact of procrastination on estate planning. The conversation delves into simplifying the process for clients and focusing on critical components to ensure a smooth estate planning journey.

Key Timesta...

Episode Summary: In this episode of *Plan On It*, Attorney Christopher Botti delves into the crucial topic of incapacity planning in estate law. He explains the significance of powers of attorney and advanced directives in ensuring families can manage affairs when a loved one is unable to do so. From defining incapacity in the estate planning context to detailing the legal authority behind power of attorney and advanced healthcare ...

Episode Summary:

In this episode of *Plan on It* Chris Botti explains the concept of a revocable living trust, emphasizing its flexibility and control while alive. He clarifies the key differences between a trust and a will, highlighting the significant advantage of avoiding probate through proper estate planning. Chris also discusses the importance of funding the trust correctly to ensure its effectiveness in asset distribution.

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Episode Summary:

In this episode, Chris Botti discusses the recent changes in the Medi-Cal rules and their impact on long-term care planning. He explains the return of asset limits and the reintroduction of look back rules, emphasizing the need for careful planning and self-assessment to maintain eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits.

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

01:30 – Overview of the failed Medi-Cal experiment

03...

Episode Summary:

Chris Botti discusses the intricacies of joint tenancy in California, highlighting its benefits, pitfalls, and potential complications for families. He explains how joint tenancy functions, its tax and estate planning implications, and the importance of proper planning to avoid probate and protect assets.

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

01:15 – Explanation of Joint Tenancy

04:30 – Tax and Est...

Episode Summary:

In this episode, attorney Chris Botti discusses the critical reasons Californians opt to create trusts to sidestep the costly, time-consuming, and public nature of probate proceedings. He delves into the intricacies of probate, its detrimental aspects, misconceptions around wills, and the advantages of establishing a revocable living trust to avoid probate while ensuring family control and privacy.

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In this episode, attorney Chris Botti delves into the crucial aspects of long-term care estate planning, emphasizing its significance for California families. He highlights the integration of long-term care provisions into traditional estate plans and the importance of planning for incapacity alongside end-of-life arrangements.

00:00 – Introduction

02:30 – Defining Long-Term Care Estate ...

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Chris Botti discusses the significant Medi-Cal changes set to take effect in 2026 and their impact on California families planning for long-term care. He delves into the asset assessment, asset test, look back period, and how these changes will affect eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits.

• 00:00 – Introduction to the discussion on Medi-Cal change...