Florida Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog


Karp Law Firm in Top 100 South Florida Law Firms
Karp Law Firm in Top 100 South Florida Law Firms
September 1, 2018

We are very proud to announce that The Karp Law Firm has been ranked in the Top 100 South Florida Law Firms by South Florida Business and Wealth Magazine. The rankings include all firms based in Palm Beach, Broward and Dade counties. South…

more
Retirees, take note: SEC considering own best interest rule
Retirees, take note: SEC considering own best interest rule
August 31, 2018

Since the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule for retirement accounts was struck down, the Securities and Exchange Commission has been working to create its own best interest rule. Called Regulation Best Interest, the SEC’s thousand-page proposal would apply to all accounts,…

more
Floridians Begin Receiving New Medicare Cards
Floridians Begin Receiving New Medicare Cards
August 24, 2018

Floridians are beginning to receive their new Medicare cards. Unlike the old cards, your new card will not display your Social Security number. Instead, you will have a unique “Medicare Beneficiary Number.” (Note that if you are enrolled in a…

more
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, Dies Intestate
August 23, 2018

Singer Aretha Franklin passed away on August 16, 2018. The 76-year-old “Queen of Soul” died at her Detroit home of pancreatic cancer, surrounded by family. Winner of 18 Grammy awards and known for iconic songs like “Respect,” Franklin was intensely…

more
Anthony_Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain not yet divorced when he died, potentially complicating estate plan
August 13, 2018

Marriage and divorce play a big role in the effectiveness of your estate plan. Here’s a prime example. The late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain and Ottavia Busia married in 2007. They had a daughter, Ariane. According to Bourdain, their relationship…

more
taxes
New 1040 Tax Form: Really Simpler?
August 4, 2018

In keeping with the administration’s vow to simplify tax filing, the Internal Revenue Service is putting finishing touches on its revised 1040 income tax form. Although not quite the postcard size touted by the administration, it is indeed smaller: The…

more
medicare
CHRONIC Act expands coverage for Medicare Advantage enrollees with chronic illnesses
July 24, 2018

Beginning in 2020, people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans who have chronic illnesses will be covered for certain supplies and services not previously covered. Examples include bathroom grab bars and wheelchair ramps; and services such as home meal delivery, at-home…

more
airline
Can You Bequeath (Or Inherit) Airline Rewards Points?
July 21, 2018

Many of our clients are frequent travelers who have accumulated significant reward points with one or more airlines. Naturally, they would like any miles that remain in their accounts at their deaths to go to loved ones. This topic has…

more
ABLE Accounts: Positive Developments
July 21, 2018

ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts allow individuals with disabilities to save in a tax-advantaged account without jeopardizing eligibility for Medicaid or other federal benefits. Funds in an ABLE account may be used only for qualified disability-related expenses and…

more
Buz Adlrin
Houston, We Have A Problem
July 3, 2018

Houston, we have a problem! Nearly 50 years after becoming the second man to walk on the moon, Buzz Aldrin is undertaking a more earthly mission: fighting guardianship proceedings  to stay in control of his own affairs. In May, two of…

more