Senior Resource Directory Senior Resource Directory

LEGAL
Your Home
The home is an exempt asset and its
value is not counted for the purposes
of determining a spouse’s eligibility,
but it is vulnerable to a Medi-Cal
estate recovery claim after the death
of the Medi-Cal recipient and spouse
unless the home is protected by a
properly done transfer prior to the
death of the Medi-Cal recipient. The
law in California allows for an exempt
asset such as the primary home to
be transferred to anybody without
any penalty or loss of eligibility, but
certain other documents and no ti fi ca
tions must be done at the same time.
If you are considering such a transfer,
you should contact an attorney to
review all the legal and tax con sid er -
ations. Again, consult with an at tor ney
who is knowledgeable about Medi-Cal.
If you are caring for an individual who
is incompetent or is facing in com -
pe ten cy in the future and you have not
made plans for the future, contact an
attorney knowl edge able about Medi-
Cal long term care planning.
Other Legal Services
There are several options available
if you are involved in a dispute
with your neighbor or you feel that
someone owes you money. Mediation
ser vic es are available if you
are involved in a landlord/tenant
dis pute, See Rental Housing Medi
a tion Task Force.
Many other consumer groups are
available to assist you in resolving
problems. See Consumer Complaints
& In for ma tion, before
you resort to legal action.
Small Claims Court
If you are involved in a dispute with
your landlord over a deposit, any
dispute where someone owes you
money, or you desire the return of
property that belongs to you, Small
Claims Court is designed for you.
Attorneys are not allowed to represent
either side at the hearing. An
attorney, however, can assist you in
preparing your case. The max i mum
amount of money you may collect
is $5,000.00. If your claim is larger,
you may consider hiring an attorney
to take you case to a higher court.
You fi le your suit in Small Claims
Court either in the district where
the problem occurred or in the
district where the defendant (the
person you are suing) resides.
For more information (offers small
claims procedural advice, no legal
advice given), contact your local:
Small Claims Advice
1100 Anacapa St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
568-2770
568-3303
Fax 568-2219
312 C. Cook St.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
349-1289
346-7681
For advice go to Legal Resource
Center at Santa Maria Superior
Court, 312 E. Cook St. or
www.sbcourts.org
Locating a Notary Public
Notary Publics can be found at
many banks, real estate offi ces, and
title companies and through the
phone book. There is a small fee to
have a document notarized. To locate
a notary public and learn more
about additional resources for assistance
in crime prevention, defense
rep re sen ta tion, dis crim i na tion,
diversion, medical and law enforcement,
contact Senior Connection.
Immigration
With the passage of welfare reform
in 1996, the citizenship status of
in di vid u als is an important de ter -
mi nant of eligibility for publicly
funded pro grams. Some programs
that are means tested and available
to senior citizens may be restricted
to citizens when welfare reform is
implemented.
72 2005-2007 SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SENIOR RESOURCE DIRECTORY
As a result, many elderly and
disabled non-citizens legal immi
grants cur rent ly receiving SSI
may lose these benefi ts, unless
they are legal im mi grants under
certain limited cir cum stanc es. To
retain eligibility for some programs,
persons with legal status
should consider citizenship. The
citizenship process includes exams,
pro cess ing, interview, and an oath
cer e mo ny.
The steps to citizenship include: 1)
Nat u ral iza tion process; 2) Interview
preparation with the INS; 3)
In ter view; and 4) Nat u ral iza tion
cer e mo ny.
Catholic Charities
609 E. Haley St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
965-7045
Fax 963-2978
Language Ministry Program
First Southern Baptist Church
1009 E. Pine Ave.
Lompoc, CA 93436
736-6531
Provides a citizenship call to help
candidates complete application
forms and prepare for their
cit i zen ship tests.
Immigration and
Naturalization
United States Citizenship and
Naturalization
800-375-5283
800-870-3676 - Automated
phone service, must leave message.
This office provides information
and assistance on obtaining
needed forms. Forms are available
for changing your status,
becoming a permanent resident
and filing a visa petition for a
relative.
If you know what forms you
need, call 800-870-3676.