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QUARTER 4, 2025
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Planning for Care, Protecting Your Legacy 2 PIECES, SAME PUZZLE
Imagine needing care, but your family can't access your accounts, make medical decisions, or follow through on the plans you discussed together. Many people think of long-term care planning as simply choosing between home care, assisted living, or a nursing facility. But without the right estate planning documents in place, those choices may not even be yours to make. Long-term care planning isn’t just about where you will live or who will help you. It’s about ensuring that, even if you become incapacitated, your wishes can still be honored and your assets protected, all while receiving the care you intended. OVERLAPPING NEEDS We often treat long-term care planning and estate planning as separate. In fact, both are highlighted by national campaigns this month: National Long- Term Care Awareness Month and National Estate Planning Awareness Week. Yet, the two areas intersect in one crucial way: the risk of incapacity. This is the moment when you can no longer make or communicate decisions about your health and finances. Life is unpredictable. Illness and accidents happen. And as people live longer, the likelihood of experiencing cognitive decline increases. According to a long-term study of more than 29,000 individuals, women face a 37% risk of cognitive impairment, typically lasting 3.2 years. For men, the risk is 24% with an average duration of 1.8 years. While not everyone with dementia loses decision-making ability, many eventually need help with financial and legal matters. CRITICAL DOCUMENTS Many assume they are covered with a will and conversation about care preferences. But if you become incapacitated without critical estate-planning documents in place, your loved ones will not have the legal authority needed to carry out your wishes.
Without these, you and your loved ones may be forced into the government’s default plan, a court-ordered conservatorship to manage your finances and health care. Some of the most heart-rending calls we receive are from families of loved ones with dementia who never put documents in place. Their only option is to go through court, a stressful, expensive process with no guarantee the judge will appoint the person they prefer as a conservator. Worse, another relative with legal standing may appear and complicate decisions further. Taking a holistic approach now, planning for care needs and creating the right legal documents, helps preserve control and avoid painful disruptions. Waiting until you need them is simply too late! THE TAKEAWAY Facing mortality is difficult; imagining incapacity can be even harder. Questions like “What if I get dementia? What if I can’t manage my life? Who will make decisions for me?” are uncomfortable but essential. The good news: A thoughtful, comprehensive estate plan reduces uncertainty and brings peace of mind. You’ll know your care, your finances, and your legacy are protected. If you or someone you care about is interested in learning more, we invite you to attend one of our free upcoming seminars. Together, we can put the pieces of the puzzle in place to safeguard your wishes, whatever the future may hold.
At a minimum, you need:
• A durable power of attorney to authorize a trusted person to handle your finances. • A health care power of attorney to appoint decision-makers for medical choices and to document your wishes for end-of-life care and treatment.
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Sometimes, your home needs more than a quick-fix cleaning. It needs a reset, and the living room is a good place to start because people gather, settle in, and spend time there with each other. But over the years, even a cozy, relaxing space can lose shape. Maybe you’ve had one too many attempts at rearranging your furniture or a mix of styles that never quite clicked. That doesn’t mean you need to tear the whole thing apart. With a solid plan and one weekend, you can bring new life to your space — no contractor required. Start with what’s working. It could be a sofa worn just right or a wooden table with a storied past. Use those to ground the space. Then, clear the decks: Pull down the shelf clutter, trim back the pillow pile, and give your eyes space to rest. Once the room can breathe again, bring in new touches. Paint if you feel up to it. Even just one wall in a deeper tone can shift the whole feel. If that’s too much, bring in more texture. Think curtains that catch the light, a low-pile rug, or a few new cotton, linen, or velvet pillows. A Living Room Refresh Made Simple
Older adults who undertake estate planning sometimes feel anxious as they navigate sensitive decisions about their assets, their loved ones, and the legacy they want to leave for future generations. Meet Associate Attorney Rianne Lu HEART AND FORESIGHT
Rianne C. Lu chose a career in estate planning law because she enjoys playing a proactive role in guiding clients through that process. One of the most rewarding parts of her work, she says, is helping people find peace of mind. Since joining Litherland, Kennedy & Associates earlier this year, she adds, “I have been thoroughly enjoying myself, meeting with great clients.”
She recently reassured a particularly anxious client: “Things will be okay. You’re not alone. We are your trusted advisors, and we are here to help.” The woman, visibly relieved, offered Rianne a grateful hug as she said goodbye. “It always feels rewarding to be able to help people,” Rianne says. “I enjoy knowing that I’m making a difference in somebody’s life. Hopefully, that reassurance lingers and stays with them.” Rianne brings prior estate planning experience from Senior Adults Legal Assistance (SALA), where she advised clients on incapacity planning and probate alternatives. She also took a career break for a time to stay home with her two young sons. She values the culture at Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, especially the emphasis on work-life balance, on continual improvement, and welcoming ideas from every team member. “Everybody has a say, and everybody feels valued,” she notes. “There is always a desire to do better and to make sure our clients truly feel heard and appreciated.” Rianne earned her Juris Doctor with a tax concentration from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and studied international and comparative tax law through a summer program at Queen Mary, University of London. She is fluent in Filipino (Tagalog).
Light also does more than people think. Swapping a fixture or adding a lamp near the reading chair can shift the room’s ambiance. Pulling the furniture closer to the windows can also do the same. Rearranging things to make the most of natural light can brighten the entire space and make it feel more open. And don’t forget about the other sensory elements. Simple things like a new scent or potted plants are an easy way to breathe fresh life into your living room. Once you get started, you’ll see it doesn’t take a complete overhaul to make a space feel better. A throw with some heft, a chair turned toward the light, and a clear table surface can bring back a sense of calm. You know it's working when the room invites you in without trying too hard.
Away from the office, Rianne enjoys time with her husband Ben and their two sons, Griffin, 12, and Callum, 9. Griffin is an avid jazz pianist and train enthusiast, while Callum, a math lover, is active in basketball, flag football, and wushu, a Chinese martial art. For Rianne, seeing her sons
grow and thrive while pursuing a career she loves has been deeply rewarding. “I am thankful,” she says, “and so excited about my new job!” She adds that her children’s curiosity and resilience inspire her approach to clients, listening carefully, meeting people where they are, and helping them feel prepared for the future.
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THE MEDI-CAL ASSET TEST IS RETURNING IN 2026
What You Need to Know About Eligibility
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2026, California will once again require Medi-Cal applicants over age 65 who are seeking long-term care benefits to meet a strict asset test. Under the new rules, individuals may only have $130,000
in countable assets, plus $65,000 for each additional household member (up to 10).
So, why is this important now? In 2024, California eliminated the asset test, effectively exempting all assets. Now that the test is returning in 2026, the current year offers a limited window to engage in strategic planning. Without proper planning, families may be denied Medi-Cal or lose current eligibility, leaving them to pay full nursing home costs out of pocket. At Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, we’ve helped hundreds of families secure Medi-Cal eligibility and protect their legacies. If you are on Medi-Cal or if you see long-term care needs on the horizon, contact our office at info@attorneyoffice.com , and learn how we can help you prepare before the rules change.
This change does not affect those with Covered California Medi-Cal used for doctor visits and preventive care. However, it will affect applicants (and current recipients) who rely on Medi-Cal for long-term care, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), or other extended benefits. Even with the return of the asset test, some assets remain exempt and are not counted toward the $130,000 limit. These include:
• Your primary residence •
Personal and household belongings
• •
One vehicle
Retirement accounts (if you are taking regular distributions)
LENTIL AND SWEET POTATO STEW
This delicious dish will keep your family warm, full, and happy as the weather cools down.
INGREDIENTS
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1 onion, diced
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2 bay leaves
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1/2 tsp turmeric
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1/4 tsp cumin
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2 cups green lentils, rinsed
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1/2 tsp black pepper
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1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
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1/2 tsp salt
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Fresh parsley
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6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
SOLUTION ON PAGE 2
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large pot over medium heat, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil for about 3 minutes. 2. Add all other ingredients except for salt and parsley. 3. Turn the heat to high until it is boiling, then reduce it to low and simmer uncovered for 20–30 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked through. 4. Remove pot from heat and stir in salt. Top with parsley and enjoy!
WHAT DO YOU CALL A FISH WEARING A BOWTIE? SOFISHTICATED.
Inspired by HalfBakedHarvest.com
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Long-Term Care Needs Start With an Estate Plan page 1
Estate Planning With Heart and Foresight Weekend Living Room Refresh Tips page 2 The Medi-Cal Asset Test: What You Need to Know About Eligibility Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew page 3
Hygge Morning Rituals to Nourish Your Spirit page 4
Create Hygge in Every Comforting Morning Step START YOUR DAY THE DANISH WAY
There’s a quiet magic in the early morning. It’s a time made for gentleness, nourishing both body and spirit. That’s the beauty of hygge , a Danish philosophy rooted in comfort, mindfulness, and savoring life’s small pleasures. Pronounced “hoo-gah ,” this gentle lifestyle encourages you to slow down and enjoy the present moment. And what better time to begin than first thing in the morning? Begin right where you wake, still nestled beneath the covers. Before your feet ever touch the floor, take a moment to stretch — not the kind that feels like a chore but one that softly awakens your muscles and soothes your joints. This small act stirs your blood and eases your body into the day with kindness.
season — apple, cinnamon, or something crisp and woodsy. Let the warm water remind you that you’re not in a rush, that this moment is yours. As the coffee brews or tea steeps, light a candle . Watch it flicker and think of someone who has touched your life. Offer a quiet thank-you and wish them well. This small blessing is a gift to them and you. Slip on your walking shoes and greet the world outside . Even a short stroll can awaken a sense of calm. Listen to the autumn leaves rustle, feel the sun on your cheeks. Let nature’s rhythm soften your own. These hygge-inspired rituals help you reclaim mornings with grace, presence, and joy. You’ve earned mornings like these. Let them carry you forward.
Let your shower become a sanctuary. Choose a soap that smells like the
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