Seek Counsel About Gifts to Caregivers

If your parents want to leave substantial gifts of money or property to caregivers, you'll want to do two things: Ensure that your parent has not been pressured to make these gifts; and, if not, ensure that the gifts are legal. In some states, such as California, any bequest in a will of a caregiver gift valued at more than $3,000 is automatically void, unless the will was approved by a second trusts and estates attorney while your parent was alive. This is designed to protect patients from the undue influence of those who care for them. The law doesn?t specify whether the caregiver must be someone who was hired, or whether the term includes any friend or family member who gave substantial care. That's another reason it's wise to have the proposed gift vetted by a second attorney.