Florida Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog


A Real Dogfight Over Late Painter's Estate
A Real Dogfight Over Late Painter’s Estate
October 26, 2019

You may not know the name George Rodrigue, but you probably know his art. Rodrigue was the New Orleans-based creator of the 1984 “blue dog” painting that has become a pop culture icon. Blue dog has appeared in one form…

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Reasons to Plan Your Estate, Even if You are Single and Don't Have Children
Reasons To Plan Your Estate, Even If You’re Single And Don’t Have Children
October 15, 2019

More and more Americans are living on their own. The 2018 U.S. census revealed that there 110.6 million unmarried people over the age of 18. Of them, 63% have never been married; 23% are divorced; 13% are widowed. Most live…

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2020 Social Security Benefits Increase
October 11, 2019

Americans collecting Social Security benefits are slated to receive a cost of living increase in 2020. Benefits will increase by 1.6%. The average retiree’s monthly benefit will increase about $24, from $1,473 to to $1,503. Also, the Social Security tax…

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Condo Owners Get Increased Access To Reverse Mortgages
September 25, 2019

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is making it easier for owners of condominium units to obtain FHA-backed reverse mortgages (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, or HECM). A reverse mortgage allows a homeowner age 62 and over to borrow against…

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Nursing Home Pre-Dispute Arbitration Agreements Again Allowed
Nursing Home Pre-Dispute Arbitration Agreements Again Allowed
July 27, 2019

The Trump administration this week issued a final rule that allows nursing homes to resume inserting pre-dispute arbitration agreements into admissions contracts. The new rule goes into effect September 16, 2019. When a resident (or representative of the resident) signs an arbitration…

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Change In Two Florida Medicaid Rules
Change In Two Florida Medicaid Rules
July 1, 2019

There have been changes to two key numbers Florida uses when assessing an applicant’s eligibility for Medicaid nursing home benefits. These changes went into effect July 1, 2019. Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance: The income of an applicant’s spouse is…

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Your Broker and Your Best Interest: New SEC Rule
June 30, 2019

The Securities and Exchange Commission on June 5 introduced the “Regulation Best Interest” rule, intended to protect investors and help them make more informed decisions. Consumer advocates say it does not go far enough to protect the public, and also makes…

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HUD Decides On ABLE Accounts
June 3, 2019

The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) has released a long-awaited decision concerning disabled individuals who hold ABLE accounts. It is good news for these individuals and their families. As is already the case for programs like Medicaid…

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Government Objections Dismissed in “Observation Status” Lawsuit
April 6, 2019

Medicare beneficiaries have scored a legal win in their ongoing fight to appeal “observation status” when they are hospitalized. Medicare pays for a period of skilled nursing home care and rehabilitation only if it follows a three-day hospitalization. If the…

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Facebook introduces “Tributes” section
Facebook introduces “Tributes” section
March 24, 2019

Facebook has billions of users, and it is estimated that 10,000 of them die each day. How to handle the accounts of deceased users has been a work in progress for the social media giant. You can choose to have your…

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