Kevin Staker - Recently Updated Pages

Blog of "Kevin Staker" on All of His Links on the Web

kevinstaker — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:19:50 CDT

Technorati Profile

Personalized Web Address on Facebook of Kevin Staker

kevinstaker — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:30:41 CDT

The Facebook Page of Kevin Staker now has a personalized web address. The new address is http://www.facebook.com/kevin.staker.

Before this point the Facebook address of Kevin Staker's site used numbers. However, beginning June 12, 2009, Facebook allowed users to select the name used in the address.

Kevin Staker took advantage of the offer within an hour of the initial start time. Kevin Staker was surprised that the website was not even slowed down by the anticipated traffic of people scrambling to get their name.

Hopefully this new name will increase the visibility of the page when people search for information on Kevin Staker.

by Kevin Staker

Lawyer Profile of Kevin Staker at Martindale.com

kevinstaker — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:29:51 CDT

The lawyer profile of Kevin Staker at Martindale.com is located at http://www.martindale.com/Kevin-G-Staker/82942-lawyer.htm. This page notes that Kevin Staker is "AV Rated", the highest rating possible by his fellow attorneys.

ZoomInfo of Kevin Staker

kevinstaker — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:16:41 CDT

Kevin Staker notes that the offending posting if you Google "Kevin Staker" has been pushed down to the top of page three. In pig latin the site is ipoffreport-ray dot com (we do not want to have a possibility of helping its page rank in any way). The result immediately after it is http://www.zoominfo.com/Search/PersonDetail.aspx?PersonID=-828964. This is the zoominfo.com profile of Kevin Staker. Hopefully this and postings elsewhere will have its rank supersede the spurious result.
by Kevin Staker

Friendster Profile of Kevin Staker

kevinstaker — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:01:03 CDT

The Friendster profile of Kevin Staker is located at http://profiles.friendster.com/97034605. This profile is the Google link just behind the link we want to push down the pages of Google. Kevin Staker is planning on next creating his blog on Business and the Economy. The site is he has selected is at

Kevin Staker Has Started a Blog on Online Reputation Management

kevinstaker — Sun, 31 May 2009 23:29:03 CDT

I have started a blog on Online Reputation Management at http://kevinstaker.blogsome.com. Hopefully I will get some feedback on my personal battle against a spurious posting about me.

Kevin Staker

Kevin Staker Has Started HIs Spiritual Living Blog

kevinstaker — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:07:01 CDT

Kevin Staker has decided to break down the favorite topics of his blog postings into separate blog sites. The first is the Spiritual Living Blog of Kevin Staker located at http://kevinstaker.blog.friendster.com/ . Kevin Staker intends to have separate blogs for politics, business and economics, movies, travel, and sports. He will also probably have a blog dedicated to the main focus of his work, living trusts.

Prlog Profile of Kevin Staker Has Been Updated

kevinstaker — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:37:01 CDT

The profile of Kevin Staker of StakerLaw Tax and Estate Planning Law Corporation has been updated at http://biz.prlog.org/KevinStaker/ The PrLog Pressroom of Kevin Staker is located at http://pressroom.prlog.org/KevinStaker/

Prlog is the site where Kevin Staker posts press releases regarding his law practice. Kevin Staker is an attorney in Camarillo, California, and specializes in estate planning and taxation.

Some of the sites with more information on Kevin Staker are at:

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kevinstaker

His Main Weblog at WordPress: http://kevinstaker.wordpress.com/

His Personal Bio Website: http://www.kevin-staker.com/

The Work Bio Website of Kevin Staker: http://www.kevinstaker.com/

The YouTube Channel of Kevin Staker videos is at http://www.youtube.com/user/stakerk

The MerchantCircle site with information on the law firm of Kevin Staker is at http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Staker.Kevin.G.805-482-2282

To "Twitter" Kevin Staker go to http://twitter.com/kevinstaker

To be "LinkedIn" to Kevin Staker go to http://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstaker

The HotFrog info on Kevin Staker is at http://www.hotfrog.com/Companies/Staker-Kevin-G

Kevin Staker is on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Camarillo-CA/Kevin-Staker-of-StakerLaw/38289441240

The listing of Kevin Staker on Superlawyers is at http://www.superlawyers.com/california-southern/lawyer/Kevin-G-Staker/d9fa5c59-0c2a-4e8f-94e0-682892fe4481.html

Google Profile of Kevin Staker

kevinstaker — Sat, 09 May 2009 21:42:19 CDT

Kevin Staker has created a profile under Google Profiles. The profile of Kevin Staker has links to many of the websites related to him. This profile of Kevin Staker is located at http://www.google.com/profiles/kevinstaker.

Twitter - Kevin Staker

kevinstaker — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:44:16 CDT

The twitter site of Kevin Staker is at http://twitter.com/kevinstaker. However, he does not use it very often

Kevin Staker Websites Update

kevinstaker — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:26:16 CDT

The following websites regarding Kevin Staker were off line but are now back online:

The first has the work bio of “Kevin Staker”: www.kevinstaker.com

The second has the personal bio of “Kevin Staker”: www.kevin-staker.com

Kevin Staker Medi-Cal Article on Newsvine, March 2009

kevinstaker — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 08:28:05 CST

Kevin Staker Has Posted the Initial Draft of an Article on the Status of Medi-Cal Planning for Long Term Care at Newsvine

The Article by Kevin Staker is entitled:

Update on Medi-Cal Planning for Long Term Care in California: the DRA is Implemented into Law

The link the article by "Kevin Staker" is:

http://kevinstaker.newsvine.com/_news/2009/03/01/2491932-update-on-medi-cal-planning-for-long-term-care-in-california-the-dra-is-implemented-into-law

The article analyzes the implementation of the federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 as it relates to long term care planning under Medi-Cal. California Senate Bill 483 was signed into law in September 2008. However, it is not truly effective until regulations are finalized, which will not take place before 2010. The article analyzes the effect of Senate Bill 483 on the $750,000 limit on home equity, the ban on stacked (also called staggered) gifting, and rounding down on a period of ineligibility.

Kevin Staker also talks about how the liberal provisions for hardship waivers will likely undercut the idea of Senate Bill 483 of cutting down on asset protection in relation to Medi-Cal. Kevin Staker also questions the conventional wisdom that Senate Bill 483 will prevent Medi-Cal from making the gift of the home a disqualifying transfer, at least for an institutionalized individual.

by "Kevin Staker"

The Site for the Highest Resolution Videos by Kevin Staker is at Vimeo

kevinstaker — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 23:39:13 CST

The Site for the Highest Resolution Videos by Kevin Staker is at Vimeo

This is the link to the videos, the highest resolution, of Kevin Staker

The following is the link: http://www.vimeo.com/kevinstaker

In particular, this site has the living trust video seminar of Kevin Staker,

which is broken up into four parts:

Part 1 of the Seminar by Kevin Staker

Part 2 of the Seminar by Kevin Staker

Part 3 of the Seminar by Kevin Staker, and

Part 4 of the Seminar by Kevin Staker.

The Vimeo site of Kevin Staker also has the videos of his family's trip to Kenya in East Africa.

Some of the most popular Kenya videos of Kevin Staker are:

Lion Kills Wildebeest, Masai Mara, Kenya by Kevn Staker

and

Cheetah in the Samburu, Kenya - Kevin Staker

by Kevin Staker

Medi-Cal Basics

kevinstaker — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:40:05 CST

Kevin Staker Blog on Medi-Cal Planning for Nursing Home Care in California Kevin Staker Med-Cal Planning for Long Term Nursing Home Care in California by Kevin Staker

This wiki will discuss planning for Medi-Cal to pay for nursing home planning in California. The rules have been rather liberal. The federal government has mandated the states to close loopholes. California is showing signs of complying. (See Senate Bill 483). However, such implementation apparently will do little to actually tighten the rules for the well informed (rather advised). I advise clients on how to use such rules to their advantage.

Medi-Cal Planning for Long Term Care in a Nursing Home in California by Kevin Staker

Please note the following is just general information. It is not advice. Many points, in fact, are almost even a gross simplification. Please do not implement any of the following in your own situation without being properly advised. Please hire us or another competent attorney to assist you. As the commercial says, "please do not try this at home". Who should consider planning for Medi-Cal to pay for their nursing home care?

You have been diagnosed with a degenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's disease;

You are elderly and concerned that if you have a stroke or some other disability afflicts you, you do not want your assets to be used up in paying for possible care in a nursing home.

What is Long Term Care under Medi-Cal? Medi-Cal is the California state version of what is called Medic-Aid in other states. It is funded primarily by the federal government and is administered by the State. It pays for the medical care of those who do not have much in income or assets. It has no minimum age limit (unlike Medicare). In particular, it will pay for long term care in a skilled nursing facility (but generally not for care in assisted living or a board and care home). Medicare will only pay for part of the cost of the first 100 days, and only then if you have come from an acute care hospital. What are the asset limits of Medi-Cal? The "non-exempt" assets must be under $2,000 (at the end of the month of application). What is exempt then is the key.

The primary residence is exempt. That includes a mobile home or even an apartment buidling if the applicant lives in one unit. The applicant does not even have to live there, just must have the intent to return to live there if they could. As of today (May 2008), the home can be of any value. However, please see the discussion below regarding the implementation of the federal Deficit Reduction Act (the "DRA"). Under the DRA home equity would be limited to $500,000 to $750,000.

Motor vehicle (one) (of unlimited value), is exempt if used to benefit the applicant or is needed for medical reasons.. In California, this would presently include even a motor home worth a couple of hundred thousand dollars.

Household items and other personal effects are exempt.

Jewelry is exempt in any amount for a married person. For a single person, wedding rings, heirlooms, and other jewelry up to $100 in value are exempt.

Life insurance is exempt if a term policy or a permanent policy if less than $1,500 in cash value.

Burial plots are exempt. In addition, an iirevocable burial fund of any amount and a revocable burial fund if up to $1,500 are exempt.

IRA's work-related annuities, and other retirement plans are exempt for the applicant if they are taking distributions of all income and some amount of principal each year. Such plans of a spouse are exempt in any event.

Annuities are exempt if issued on or after March 1, 1996 if payments are to be made over a period not to exceed life expectancy and include both income and some principal. If issued before March 1, 1996, other rules apply.

Business assets are exempt. However, rental real estate is not a business and so is a problem asset for the applicant and their spouse.

Assets of a spouse are exempt if they do not exceed something called the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (the "CSRA", $104,400 in 2008). (Note: the exempt assets of a spouse are not counted, such as their jewelry.)

Gifts of Assets This is an area in long term care planning that is presently very advantageous. However, I am quite frankly not going to tell you too much about it because it would be like giving a loaded gun to a five year old, not a good idea. This is a very dangerous area if done improperly. However, may I share a few hints with you to show you the power of gifting. First, these rules only apply to qualifying for long term care paid by Medi-Cal, they do not apply re the normal payment of medical bills by Medi-Cal. Second, the general rule is that if you give away more than something called the "average private pay rate" ($5,496 in 2008) it will cause you one month of ineligibility. Hence, if you give away in one lump $54,960, it will cause you 10 months of ineligibilty. On the other hand, under the present rules, Medi-Cal cannot "look back" more than 30 months in California. (The DRA would change that to 60 months.) In addition, a gift of an exempt asset will not cause any ineligibility. This is an area of loopholes the DRA would significantly close. Hence, this is an area that some may want to take advantage of while they can. (Again, "don't try this at home". Get proper advice.) Issues re Spouse As mentioned above, the non-exempt assets of a spouse cannot exceed the CSRA. Getting the countable assets of a spouse down to that limit is the key to planning for a married couple. That is a key part of how we can help. Another issue is whether the income of the spouse in the nursing home will go to the spouse or to the "share of cost" of the ill spouse in the nursing home. There is something called the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance ("MMMNA", $2,610 in 2008). Please note that we can go to court in what is called a 3100 petition to most likely effectively raise the CSRA and the MMMNA. Another issue is that the assets the well spouse acquires after the ill spouse qualifies for Medi-Cal do not cause a subsequent ineligibility. An inheritance is a good example.
Recovery by Medi-Cal It is a common misconception that if you go on Medi-Cal they will "take your home" or "put a lien on your home." However, Medi-Cal can recover for what they have expended after a single person has passed away. Note they cannot recover any amount from a surviving spouse. They also cannot recover against a child who is blind or disabled (or a minor). They cannot recover against an IRA or other retirement plan or life insurance. On the other hand, they can recover against the home if still owned by a single person at death, as well as joint tenancy assets and account payable on death. They can also recover against annuities purchased on or after September 1, 2004.
Many Loopholes Will Be Closing The DRA, the Deficit Reduction Act, was signed by President Bush in February 2006. For example, it limits home equity to $500,000 ($750,000 if the state so mandates, as California is likely to do). It does away will rounding down on partial months of ineligibility. It tightens up some on annuities. However, California has yet to implement it. It is possible but highly unlikely California will implement the changes retroactively. We are presently more than two years later and California is finally showing signs of moving forward. Senate Bill 483 would do the Legislature's part. However, it on its face says it would be be effective until Medi-Cal (technically the Department of Health Care Services) issues regulations. The word is such would not be effective until 2010, late 2009 at the earliest. However, time is passing, and one should consider what can and should be done now before it is too late. Conclusion The time is now to consider whether or not to take action to qualify for Medi-Cal to pay for long term care in a nursing home. The window of time to giving away certain assets and taking other actions is becoming shorter and shorter.
How Can I Find Out More? To learn more about planning for long term care under Medi-Cal, please do not hesitate to contact us at (805) 482-2282, or e-mail us at KGS@Staker.com By Kevin Staker

Telephone: 805-482-2282
email: kgs@staker.com

Medi-Cal Update, June 10, 2008 by Kevin Staker

kevinstaker — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:44:28 CDT

California Senate Bill 483 has been amended by its authors on June 2nd. It has dropped the provision re annuity disclosure by salespeople re Medi-Cal. It has dropped various effective date provisions and added a Section 13 to the Bill at the end. It states:
It is the intent of the Legislature that the provisions of this act shall apply prospectively to any individual to whom the act applies commencing from the date regulations adopted pursuant to this act are filed with the Secretary of State.

This would make its provisions effective when Medi-Cal submits the final regulations to the Secretary of State. This would at least give a warning about the effective date as proposed regulations are being considered. However, it would not be a real effective date because a "hardship" under the Bill would be applying for Medi-Cal before the regulations are finalized and otherwise being eligible.

Medi-Cal would still be pretty easy to qualify for. The hardship provisions under Medi-Cal would be big enough to drive a truck through.

by Kevin Staker

medi-cal.staker.com

http://www.kevinstaker.com/

http://kevinstaker.googlepages.com/home

http://staker.com/

Kevin Staker

keyword tag groups

kevinstaker — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 06:49:03 CDT

medi-cal.staker.com

http://www.kevinstaker.com/

http://kevinstaker.googlepages.com/home

http://staker.com/

Kevin Staker re Medi-Cal

kevinstaker — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 06:41:59 CDT

Medi-Cal Planning for Long Term Care in a Nursing Home in California by Kevin Staker

Please note the following is just general information. It is not advice. Many points, in fact, are almost even a gross simplification. Please do not implement any of the following in your own situation without being properly advised. Please hire us or another competent attorney to assist you. As the commercial says, "please do not try this at home". Who should consider planning for Medi-Cal to pay for their nursing home care?

You have been diagnosed with a degenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's disease;

You are elderly and concerned that if you have a stroke or some other disability afflicts you, you do not want your assets to be used up in paying for possible care in a nursing home.

Household items and other personal effects are exempt.

Jewelry is exempt in any amount for a married person. For a single person, wedding rings, heirlooms, and other jewelry up to $100 in value are exempt.

Life insurance is exempt if a term policy or a permanent policy if less than $1,500 in cash value.

Burial plots are exempt. In addition, an iirevocable burial fund of any amount and a revocable burial fund if up to $1,500 are exempt.

Business assets are exempt. However, rental real estate is not a business and so is a problem asset for the applicant and their spouse.

Gifts of Assets This is an area in long term care planning that is presently very advantageous. However, I am quite frankly not going to tell you too much about it because it would be like giving a loaded gun to a five year old, not a good idea. This is a very dangerous area if done improperly. However, may I share a few hints with you to show you the power of gifting. First, these rules only apply to qualifying for long term care paid by Medi-Cal, they do not apply re the normal payment of medical bills by Medi-Cal. Second, the general rule is that if you give away more than something called the "average private pay rate" ($5,496 in 2008) it will cause you one month of ineligibility. Hence, if you give away in one lump $54,960, it will cause you 10 months of ineligibilty. On the other hand, under the present rules, Medi-Cal cannot "look back" more than 30 months in California. (The DRA would change that to 60 months.) In addition, a gift of an exempt asset will not cause any ineligibility. This is an area of loopholes the DRA would significantly close. Hence, this is an area that some may want to take advantage of while they can. (Again, "don't try this at home". Get proper advice.) Issues re Spouse As mentioned above, the non-exempt assets of a spouse cannot exceed the CSRA. Getting the countable assets of a spouse down to that limit is the key to planning for a married couple. That is a key part of how we can help. Another issue is whether the income of the spouse in the nursing home will go to the spouse or to the "share of cost" of the ill spouse in the nursing home. There is something called the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance ("MMMNA", $2,610 in 2008). Please note that we can go to court in what is called a 3100 petition to most likely effectively raise the CSRA and the MMMNA. Another issue is that the assets the well spouse acquires after the ill spouse qualifies for Medi-Cal do not cause a subsequent ineligibility. An inheritance is a good example. Recovery by Medi-Cal It is a common misconception that if you go on Medi-Cal they will "take your home" or "put a lien on your home." However, Medi-Cal can recover for what they have expended after a single person has passed away. Note they cannot recover any amount from a surviving spouse. They also cannot recover against a child who is blind or disabled (or a minor). They cannot recover against an IRA or other retirement plan or life insurance. On the other hand, they can recover against the home if still owned by a single person at death, as well as joint tenancy assets and account payable on death. They can also recover against annuities purchased on or after September 1, 2004. Many Loopholes Will Be Closing The DRA, the Deficit Reduction Act, was signed by President Bush in February 2006. For example, it limits home equity to $500,000 ($750,000 if the state so mandates, as California is likely to do). It does away will rounding down on partial months of ineligibility. It tightens up some on annuities. However, California has yet to implement it. It is possible but highly unlikely California will implement the changes retroactively. We are presently more than two years later and California is finally showing signs of moving forward. Senate Bill 483 would do the Legislature's part. However, it on its face says it would be be effective until Medi-Cal (technically the Department of Health Care Services) issues regulations. The word is such would not be effective until 2010, late 2009 at the earliest. However, time is passing, and one should consider what can and should be done now before it is too late. Conclusion The time is now to consider whether or not to take action to qualify for Medi-Cal to pay for long term care in a nursing home. The window of time to giving away certain assets and taking other actions is becoming shorter and shorter. How Can I Find Out More? To learn more about planning for long term care under Medi-Cal, please do not hesitate to contact us at (805) 482-2282, or e-mail us at KGS@Staker.com By Kevin Staker

medi-cal.staker.com by Kevin Staker

http://www.kevinstaker.com/ by Kevin Staker

http://kevinstaker.googlepages.com/home by Kevin Staker

http://staker.com/ by Kevin Staker

Kevin Staker - Recently Updated Pages

Blog of "Kevin Staker" on All of His Links on the Web

Personalized Web Address on Facebook of Kevin Staker

Lawyer Profile of Kevin Staker at Martindale.com

ZoomInfo of Kevin Staker

Friendster Profile of Kevin Staker

Kevin Staker Has Started a Blog on Online Reputation Management

Kevin Staker Has Started HIs Spiritual Living Blog

Prlog Profile of Kevin Staker Has Been Updated

Google Profile of Kevin Staker

Twitter - Kevin Staker

Kevin Staker Websites Update

Kevin Staker Medi-Cal Article on Newsvine, March 2009

More Kevin Staker Links March 2009

More Kevin Staker Links

The Site for the Highest Resolution Videos by Kevin Staker is at Vimeo

Medi-Cal Basics

Medi-Cal Update, June 10, 2008 by Kevin Staker

More Links

keyword tag groups

Kevin Staker re Medi-Cal