Caring for elderly family members can quickly become an expensive problem for modern families. Elder care can cost up to $8,000 every month, and not every senior can depend on pensions or investments to cover these expenses. How is a low-income family expected to bear...
Complex Legal Challenges
Elder Law
Should I transfer my Florida homestead into my Trust?
Many Florida estate plans include setting up a revocable living trust (“Trust”). One advantage of having a Trust is that it avoids assets or property having to go through probate. In order to be effective, once the Trust is executed, certain assets need to be...
Controlled Distribution Using a Living Trust
In Florida, there are a number of benefits of establishing a Living Trust (also called a Revocable Trust). These include avoiding probate and maintaining privacy. Another important benefit is the ability to control how and when the assets which you own are distributed...
Crossing the line–When a Power of Attorney agent goes too far
A Durable Power of Attorney (“DPOA”) is an essential estate planning document in Florida. Having one allows you to appoint an agent who can act on your behalf on personal, business, and financial matters. This instrument can be especially important for persons who are...
Protecting the rights of elderly nursing home residents
Every individual deserves a living environment that provides them with safety and a sense of dignity. There is no exception to this rule when it comes to residents of Florida nursing homes. Unfortunately, stories of neglect and abuse are all too common in facilities...
Out-of-Date Estate Documents
In our estate planning practice, we often have clients come in who set up their estate planning documents many years—or even decades—ago. Whether it is a Last Will and Testament, a Trust, a Living Will, a Healthcare Power of Attorney, or a Durable Power of Attorney,...
What Corona Virus teaches us about being prepared.
Over the last several weeks, everyone has been impacted by the Corona virus (also called COVID-19). Most people have been in some degree of social distancing or isolation. Businesses have slowed or closed altogether. Healthcare providers are doing the best they can...
What does Estate Planning do for you?
The term “Estate Planning” is used to describe the process of evaluating and planning for your needs and desires in the event of your (or if applicable, your spouse’s) death, disability, illness or incapacity. Estate planning seeks to take steps to protect those needs...
Second Marriages: Estate Planning with Your IRA
If you own an IRA account, you will usually name a person as beneficiary to receive the IRA at the time of your death. In most instances, the beneficiary can roll the IRA over into an IRA in the beneficiary's name and also defer taxes by withdrawing the funds over...
Do adult children have a “right” to inherit in Florida?
In our estate planning practice, clients often ask whether their adult children have a "right" to inherit in Florida. [this discussion is not addressing minor children--their rights can be different]. While the question is a simple one, the answer is somewhat of a...