Florida Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog


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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Will the state take my home if I go on Medicaid benefits?
Will the state take my home if I go on Medicaid benefits?
September 27, 2019

Adele Small Harris Frequently I get the question, Is the state is going to take my home if I go on Medicaid benefits? The answer is no. Homestead property is protected under Florida law, even while you’re on Medicaid. Once…

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How can Probate Mediation help with family disputes over estates?
How can Probate Mediation help with family disputes over estates?
September 27, 2019

Joseph S. Karp I am a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator. Mediation for Probate is a very valuable tool. It helps people who are in disputes over an estate meet with a neutral mediator whose sole objective is to help…

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How Can Elder Law Mediation Assist in Handling Family Disputes?
How Can Elder Law Mediation Assist in Handling Family Disputes?
September 27, 2019

Joseph S. Karp As a Board-Certified Elder Law attorney, I’ve also become a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator, which has been very helpful in assisting families in Elder Law Mediation. Not only do people fight over their parents’ estates when…

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Why Have a Durable Power of Attorney?
Why Have a Durable Power of Attorney?
September 27, 2019

Joseph S. Karp There’s a common misconception that your spouse can handle your financial affairs for you if you are disabled or incapacitated. It’s a misconception. Your spouse can’t sign your name on a deed. Your spouse can’t access your…

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What is Probate?
What is Probate?
September 27, 2019

Adele S. Harris Probate is the court-ordered process whereby the court will oversee the identification and collection of the assets of the decedent. These assets will be utilized to pay creditors, and also to pay the beneficiaries in the end….

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What is a Medicaid Asset Trust and can it help me?
What is a Medicaid Asset Trust and can it help me?
September 27, 2019

Joseph S. Karp People come to us quite frequently when they’re well and they’re worried about long-term care costs, and they can’t afford to get long-term insurance. They want to know what can they do to protect their assets. One…

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What is the Medicaid Look-Back Period and the Penalty Period?
What is the Medicaid Look-Back Period and the Penalty Period?
September 27, 2019

Jonathan Karp A common misconception is about the difference between the five year look-back period for Medicaid eligibility, and the penalty period. Anytime one applies for Medicaid benefits, Medicaid is entitled to and does look back five years at all…

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What Happens If I Die Without a Will in Florida?
What Happens If I Die Without a Will in Florida?
September 27, 2019

Jonathan D. Karp If you pass away in Florida without a Will, what’s known as dying intestate, the following happens: One, any assets that are co-owned joint with right of survivorship with another person will then go to the survivor…

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