Florida Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog


Florida Durable Power of Attorney
Want Florida Medicaid Benefits For Nursing Home Costs? First You’ll Need The Right Power of Attorney
October 21, 2020

Every Florida adult needs a valid Durable Power of Attorney. This essential legal document gives one or more people – your “agents” – the authority to handle financial matters on your behalf. It provides you with important protections, one of…

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Senior Abuse
Has the Nursing Home Taken Your Loved One’s Stimulus Check?
May 20, 2020

If your loved is residing in a long-term care facility and receiving Medicaid benefits, here’s a fact you need to know: The nursing home is NOT entitled to take the stimulus money your loved one may receive under the federal…

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Warren Buffet Instructs Fiduciaries To Retain Berkshire Stock
Warren Buffet Instructs Fiduciaries To Retain Berkshire Stock
March 25, 2020

Warren Buffet, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is worth $82.2 billion. His estate plan provides for his children in a manner consistent with his philosophy: Leave your children enough to do anything, but not enough to do nothing. The bulk…

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deadline
Homestead Exemption Deadline is March 1
January 28, 2020

The deadline for Florida homeowners to apply for homestead exemption on their primary residence is March 1, 2020. The exemption can reduce the assessed value of your primary residence by as much as $50,000. There are also additional exemptions for…

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Tickets Now Being Issued For Texting While Driving
January 1, 2020

A reminder to drivers that Florida’s texting while driving law went into effect on January 1. Drivers caught texting while driving starting July 1 were issued warnings, but the warning period has ended. Now, drivers will receive tickets. The first offense will incur…

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Oh My God I’m Getting Older And So Is My Mom
Oh My God I’m Getting Older And So Is My Mom
December 23, 2019

 Attorney Joseph Karp was on the air with host Scott Greenberg talking about a wide range of topics. Listen to this episode of “Oh My God, I’m Getting Older And So Is My Mom!”

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Abandonment leads rocker to disinherit wife. That won't fly in Florida.
Abandonment Leads Rocker to Disinherit Wife. That Won’t Fly in Florida.
December 9, 2019

Rock’n’roll lost another icon on September 15 with the death of Ric Ocasek. The 75-year-old lead singer of The Cars died at his New York City townhouse from pulmonary and cardiac complications following surgery. Now, there are complications in his…

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christmas-gifts-2
Considerations When Giving Holiday Gifts to Special Needs Loved Ones
November 24, 2019

At this time of year many people think about giving gifts to the young people in their life. If the recipient has special needs and receives federal aid such as Medicaid or SSI, or may apply for it in the…

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Post-it® Note Not A Valid Signature - Not On Your Estate Plan, Anyway
Post-it® Note Not A Valid Signature – Not On Your Estate Plan, Anyway
November 12, 2019

A recent case from California demonstrates two important guidelines to make sure that your assets go to the people you want after you’re gone. They are: Everything you do must conform precisely to the required legal formalities. Don’t procrastinate! Here’s…

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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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