Florida Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog


Despite Covid, 2/3 of Americans Still Lack A Basic Estate Plan
April 16, 2021

Covid has been a reality check for many of us: A brutal demonstration that life can turn upside down in an instant, and that no one is invincible. But if you think that knowledge would spur most people who do not…

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stimulus check
Steps To Prevent Stimulus Money From Jeopardizing Your Medicaid Benefits
April 2, 2021

If you or a loved one are disabled and receiving federal benefits such as Medicaid , take care when you receive your federal stimulus check. If not properly handled, the funds could put you over the asset cap and jeopardize…

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advancehealthdirectives
Your Three Important Health Planning Documents
March 31, 2021

We take for granted that we have the right to make decisions about our own health care. You cannot be forced to accept or reject medical treatments. But what happens if you cannot communicate your wishes because you are incapacitated?…

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fdic
FDIC Insurance Limits On Bank Accounts Titled In The Name Of Your Living Trust
March 21, 2021

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures bank accounts at participating banks in the event of bank failure. Currently, the FDIC insures up to $250,000 per depositor, per financial institution. But what if you have a bank account that is…

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payable on death account
Payable On Death Accounts: Important Issues To Consider
March 15, 2021

Wouldn’t it be nice to know that your loved ones will get their inheritance from you without the hassles and delay of Florida probate? Most people would – and that’s why probate avoidance is a key element of so many…

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power of attorney
Your Power of Attorney Is Not Enough for Medicare, Social Security
February 28, 2021

You may be surprised to learn that Medicare and Social Security will not automatically honor your Durable Power of Attorney or Health Care Surrogate. These are powerful legal documents that everyone should have in their planning toolkit, but when it…

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larry king
Larry King’s Widow Challenges Handwritten Will, Alleges Undo Influence
February 19, 2021

Multiple marriages, divorces, blended families:  These are circumstances that can make it challenging to devise an estate plan that withstands potential claims from disgruntled relatives. And when it comes to marriages, divorces and blended families, few were more familiar with…

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Florida Long-Term Care Costs Increase
Florida Long-Term Care Costs Increase
February 13, 2021

The cost of long term care in all forms continues to increase, to no one’s surprise. The 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey was just released, revealing continuing cost increases in Florida as well as nationally. Costs in 2020 of…

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trust
Language In Your Florida Trust Must Be Precise
February 11, 2021

A recent case out of Texas illustrates why the language in your estate planning documents must be crystal clear, and anticipate all future possibilities –  possibilities that may not even be on your radar.  Ambiguous language can result in family…

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martindale hubbell client champion
Attorney Joseph Karp Receives Client Champion Award
February 6, 2021

Attorney Joseph S. Karp has been awarded the Martindale Hubbell 2021 Silver Client Champion Award in recognition of  superior service provided to clients. The award is based on both quantity and quality of client reviews. Martindale Hubbell bestows this honor…

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