Congratulations to Certified Elder Law Attorney Joseph Karp. He has once again been named an AV Preminent Attorney by Martindale Hubbell. It is the attorney rating organization’s highest possible rating for both professional expertise and ethical standards. Inclusion in the…
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The Florida homestead exemption deducts a certain amount of assessed value of your primary residence, thereby reducing the property tax you owe on your home. The basic exemption can be up to $50,000. To be eligible for this year’s exemption,…
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The Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law by President Biden on January 5, 2025. If you are/were a public sector employee, the legislation will benefit you by repealing two federal provisions enacted 40 years ago: the Windfall Elimination…
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If you are ever in a car accident or have a critical emergency and are unable to talk, how will your loved ones know what has happened? Even if you have a mobile phone with you, it may be locked…
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A Health Care Surrogate is a type of advance directive in which you authorize someone to make your health care decisions if you are unable to do so. Like many of our clients, you may wish to name two people,…
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Veterans Improved Pension with Aid and Attendance can help elderly and disabled veterans and their surviving spouses pay for at-home care, nursing care, and assisted living care. You do not need to have a service-connected disability to qualify for benefits,…
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As of January 1, 2025, there are changes in Florida’s Medicaid eligibility rules for long-term nursing home care. The changes relate to caps on (1) home equity; (2) applicant income; and (3) assets of the well spouse. We describe these…
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Medicaid benefits for long-term care can help families retain a significant portion of their savings when a loved one needs long-term nursing home care. Long-term care is exceptionally expensive: In 2023, the average monthly cost for a nursing home was…
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Florida homeowners are entitled to a variety of homestead exemptions on their primary property. The exemptions are deducted from the assessed value of the home, thus reducing the homeowners’s annual property tax bill. The basic exemption can go as high…
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If you are 73 or older, still need to take your required minimum distributions from your IRA for this year, and want to contribute to a charitable cause, consider taking your RMD as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). A QCD withdrawal…
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