Business Details
26 Years
experience
Elder Law Services in California
Elder Care Law is a dedicated legal practice focused on addressing the unique needs of seniors through comprehensive elder law services. Since 2000, we have provided expert guidance in Medi-Cal planning, asset protection, conservatorships, probate, and estate planning, ensuring clients receive personalized attention and tailored solutions. Our team combines deep industry experience with a commitment to ethical standards, offering free consultations and maintaining satellite offices across Southern California for accessibility.With a proven track record of never having a Medi-Cal case denied, we prioritize client education, transparent communication, and proactive problem-solving to navigate complex legal challenges. Our attorneys, including founding partner Laura Butkute, bring specialized expertise and a compassionate approach to every case, emphasizing long-term client relationships built on trust and reliability.
Services
Medi-Cal Planning
Asset Protection
Conservatorships
Probate
Estate Planning
Power of Attorney
Trust Creation
Nursing Home Planning
Share of Cost Reduction
Guardianship
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- We offer individualized attention as a small, client-focused firm.
- Our satellite offices provide convenient access across Southern California.
- We guarantee reasonable attorney fees and transparent pricing.
- We have never had a Medi-Cal case turned down in 15 years.
- Our team includes attorneys with specialized elder law expertise since 2004.
What people say
Highest level of representation
Reasonable attorney fees
Never had a case turned down
Genuine caring demeanor
Timely and clear communication
Services
Medi-Cal Planning
Our Medi-Cal planning services help clients qualify for long-term care coverage while protecting assets. We specialize in reducing share-of-cost obligations and maximizing benefits under California's evolving regulations. With expertise in home protection strategies and retroactive reimbursement, we ensure seniors access critical care without exhausting savings. Our team guides clients through application processes and appeals for denied cases.
Estate Planning
We create customized estate plans including wills, trusts, and advanced directives to preserve assets and honor client wishes. Our approach minimizes probate requirements and tax liabilities while addressing guardianship needs for minor children. By offering living trusts and specialized instruments like irrevocable life insurance trusts, we provide comprehensive protection tailored to individual family dynamics and financial goals.
Conservatorships
We establish conservatorships to protect incapacitated adults through court-approved legal authority over personal and financial matters. Our attorneys guide families through petition processes, court hearings, and ongoing compliance requirements. We emphasize least-restrictive arrangements while ensuring proper management of healthcare decisions, asset preservation, and annual reporting obligations to maintain court compliance.
Probate
Our probate services facilitate efficient transfer of assets through court-supervised estate administration. We assist executors with inventory filings, debt settlement, tax compliance, and property distribution according to wills or intestacy laws. With knowledge of California's $100,000 small estate threshold and spousal property exemptions, we streamline proceedings while resolving disputes between beneficiaries and creditors.
Asset Protection
We implement legal strategies to safeguard homes and financial resources from Medi-Cal recovery and long-term care costs. Our services include trust structuring, income redirection techniques, and spousal impoverishment applications to reduce share-of-cost burdens. By combining Medi-Cal eligibility planning with estate preservation goals, we help clients maintain financial security while qualifying for essential healthcare benefits.
People
Laura Butkute
Founding Partner
Laura Butkute, Esq., holds an LLM from UCLA and has specialized in elder law since 2004. She focuses on Medi-Cal planning, asset protection, and estate planning, with extensive experience in complex nursing home cases. Laura volunteers legal services at senior centers and leads the firm's commitment to personalized client care.
Questions
What elder law services does your firm specialize in?
We specialize in Medi-Cal planning, asset protection, conservatorships, probate, estate planning, and nursing home transition assistance across California.
How can Medi-Cal help with nursing home costs?
Medi-Cal covers nursing home care costs after meeting eligibility requirements, including income thresholds and proper asset structuring to avoid recovery claims.
What estate planning documents are essential?
Essential documents include wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and HIPAA authorizations to ensure comprehensive asset management and medical decision-making.
How do conservatorships work in California?
California conservatorships require court petitions to appoint decision-makers for incapacitated adults, with separate designations for personal care (conservator of the person) and financial matters (conservator of the estate).
Can I protect my home from Medi-Cal claims?
Yes, through irrevocable trusts and other legal instruments that restructure ownership while maintaining residency rights and qualifying for Medi-Cal benefits.
What makes your firm different from other elder law practices?
We combine 15+ years of Medi-Cal expertise, satellite office accessibility, and a proven track record of zero Medi-Cal denials with personalized, compassionate legal representation.
