Florida Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog


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Long-Term Care Costs Going Up, Up, Up: How To Protect Your Assets and Family
April 13, 2025

Here is news that will not surprise our blog followers: The cost of long-term care is continuing its seemingly unstoppable climb. The 2024 Genworth/Care Scout Cost of Care Survey was just released, and the numbers demonstrate why advance planning for…

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Florida Real ID Deadline is May 7, 2025
April 8, 2025

Beginning May 7, 2025, if you are over age 18 and wish to board a commercial flight, you must produce a “Real-ID” compliant drivers license or ID card or you will be stopped at the TSA checkpoint. The rule applies…

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New Social Security Policy Alarms Seniors, Advocates
March 28, 2025

The Trump administration’s push to downsize the federal government has resulted in several changes to the Social Security system, long considered the “third rail” of American politics. The latest change, initiated by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, has sparked particularly…

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Hospital Observation Status: Appealing Medicare Denial
March 27, 2025

If your hospital stay was reclassified from inpatient to observation status, leading to denial of Part A coverage for post-hospitalization skilled care, you can now file a retroactive appeal. Post-hospitalization denials dating as far back as 2009 may be appealed. The…

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Snowbird Tips To Keep Your Florida House Safe
March 22, 2025

  Our Snowbird clients are getting ready to leave Florida and head North. Whether this is your first year as a seasonal resident or you have made this round trip many times, check out the tips below. These preparations will…

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When You Neglect Asset Beneficiaries… or When Jeffrey Met Margaret
March 14, 2025

Who are the death beneficiaries for your assets? Many of us forget to keep track of beneficiary designations as time goes by. However, keeping designations current is critical to ensure that the right people inherit your assets. That is why…

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New Rule For Non-Spouses Inheriting Qualified Plans
March 11, 2025

Beginning January 2025, the final rule is in effect for non-spouses who inherit a qualified plan (IRA, 401k, 403b, 457). If you plan to pass down a qualified plan or expect to inherit one, read on for details. Background The…

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The Dangers Of A Do-It-Yourself Will
February 21, 2025

Nothing illustrates a general principle better than a real-life example. In this post we give you the example of Bitetzakis v. Bitetzakis. It demonstrates why your estate planning documents should be created by, and their signing supervised by, an experienced…

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Update on MV Realty Scam
February 18, 2025

This post brings you up-to-date on recent developments regarding the MV Realty scam. Attorney Joseph Karp alerted the Florida Attorney General to the scam when he discovered that an elderly client had signed what he considered to be an unconscionable…

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Tax Deductions Increase For Long-Term Care Insurance Premiums
February 14, 2025

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, if you are 65 now, you have a 70% chance of needing some form of long-term care in the future. Long-term care could be an at-home caregiver, adult day care,…

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