Florida Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog


Steer Clear of Online Sweetheart Scams
January 18, 2023

The internet can be a great matchmaker. Many authentic romances, even marriages, have sprung up when people have met over the internet. Unfortunately, looking for love online has its dark side, too. The Federal Trade Commission reports that “sweetheart scams”…

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Who Do You Trust? Your Bank & Brokerage Want To Know
September 5, 2022

Who do you trust? Your brokerage, bank and other financial institutions want to know. When you open a new account, or update an account that was established before Feb. 5, 2018, they will ask you to provide the name of…

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elder abuse
Elder Abuse Not Always Easy To Spot: The Art Dealer And The Deli Owner
October 29, 2020

How can you protect yourself from exploitation and financial abuse if you become incapacitated?  These crimes can be hard to spot. After all, perpetrators go to great lengths to present themselves as helpers, not hustlers. Fortunately there are steps you…

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University graduate – at age 96
September 16, 2020

Age? Just a number for Giuseppe Paterno. On July 29, he became the oldest person ever to graduate college in Italy, reports Reuters. Paterno is 96. Born in Sicily in 1923 into humble circumstances, higher education wasn’t in the cards…

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SECURE Act Makes Big Changes To Retirement Plans
January 2, 2020

The SECURE Act has just been signed into law and went into effect January 1, 2020. Short for Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement, the legislation makes sweeping changes to the rules for retirement plan savings. We are in the…

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Nursing Home Compare Flags 25 Florida Nursing Homes
Nursing Home Compare Flags 25 Florida Nursing Homes
October 30, 2019

To help families make informed decisions when placing a loved one in a nursing facility, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services maintains a “Nursing Home Compare” web site. This is a searchable database of skilled nursing facilities nationwide. It…

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IRS Introduces Senior-Friendly Income Tax Form
IRS Introduces Senior-Friendly Income Tax Form
October 27, 2019

The Internal Revenue Service is rolling out a new income tax form specifically for seniors. The 1040-SR is expected to be ready to use for 2019 filing. The 1040-SR includes several features intended to make filing easier for older adults. It is…

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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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Blue Water Vets Still Waiting For Benefits
September 22, 2019

The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act became law  on June 25, 2019, making Blue Water veterans eligible for disability benefits related to Agent Orange exposure. For decades, veterans who served off the coast of Vietnam argued that, like those who served…

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Many Nursing Homes, ALF’s Still Need Permanent Generators
May 5, 2019

If you have a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you would be well – advised to find out the facility’s readiness for a power outage as we head into hurricane season. After Hurricane Irma struck in…

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