Florida Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog


Social Security card
Millions of Retirees Will Benefit From The Social Security Fairness Act
January 11, 2025

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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Florida emergency contact information logo
Emergency Contact Information Program Provides Peace Of Mind
December 27, 2024

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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doctor and patient
Co-Health Care Surrogates Not Permitted In Florida
December 22, 2024

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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Veteran Uniform
V.A. Aid & Attendance Can Help Pay For In-Home, Assisted Living, Nursing Home
December 15, 2024

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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elderly couple
Florida Medicaid Benefits For Long-Term Care: Eligibility Rules Change January 2025
December 8, 2024

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 Exempt Assets
November 29, 2024

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 Widow/Widower Homestead Exemption Can Cut Tax Bill
November 24, 2024

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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Qualified Charitable Donation
RMD’s Due? Consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution
November 19, 2024

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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Fun at Italian Fest in Jupiter
November 13, 2024

The weather was gorgeous for the 23rd Annual Galbani Feast of Little Italy on November 1 – 3 at Abacoa in Jupiter. We enjoyed chatting with visitors and answering their questions. The festival featured food, music, carnival rides and dancing….

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senior receiving post-acute care
Medicare Advantage Plans Blasted For Post-Acute Care Denials
November 7, 2024

A Senate subcommittee recently blasted Medicare Advantage plans for their handling of pre-authorization requests for post-acute care. The report, from the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigation and released on October 17, focuses on the post-acute skilled nursing care that seniors…

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