Recent Blog Posts
The ABCs of Medicare: Knowing the Basics
Over the past few years, American healthcare has undergone a huge overhaul. From the Affordable Care Act to Medicaid expansion, Americans are struggling to decipher the rules and regulations that apply to health insurance coverage. Elder law attorneys often advise clients on health coverage just as much as they assist with end-of-life and estate… Read More »
Three Excuses Older Adults Give for Not Discussing Estate Planning
Sometimes the first call to an elder law attorney comes from a person who is not a senior at all. In fact, adult children often call seeking help for their parents or grandparents. Sometimes this is because the aging parent is physically or mentally unable to make decisions or take on the difficult process… Read More »
Florida Universities Lead the Way in Dementia Research
Where can you go for great weather, year-round golfing, beautiful night skies, fishing, boating, no state taxes, a low cost-of-living, and the best seafood in the country? For seniors looking to retire in Florida, there is one more perk to add to this list: dementia care research. Since the late 1990s, American researchers have… Read More »
Florida College Savings: A terrific way to give
For Florida seniors looking to lower their taxable estate, annual gifts may be just the ticket. Many seniors wonder about this because not too long ago estate taxes were a real threat to upper middle class earnings. This is not as true these days, as the maximum exclusion limits risen significantly. Nevertheless, there are… Read More »
Retired and Working: What Seniors are Doing to Supplement Retirement Income
Traditionally, retirees would move to Florida with a healthy retirement already planned and in place. This included the standard three-legged stool: Social Security, employer-sponsored retirement (pensions and 401K accounts), and individual savings. These three methods of accruing wealth and stability in old age offered seniors the ability to largely replace their income. Elder law… Read More »
Three Reasons why STDs are on the Rise in Nursing Homes
Research by AARP over the past five years has revealed that roughly 80 percent of all Americans between 50 and 90 are sexually active. And these numbers hold equally true in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Florida ranks among the top five states in the country for sexually transmitted diseases among older adults…. Read More »
What Happens if I Don’t Have a Will?
Lawyers often lament that so many seniors are resistant to discussing their estate plans. No one wants to talk about dying; it makes us face our mortality and ultimate fears like: Will I suffer? Will I be cared for? Will I be stuck in a nursing home? Will I be remembered? Will my children… Read More »
Will the Nursing Home Take My House?
Clients often wonder what will happen when and if they must go to a long-term skilled nursing facility. Fears may range from practical financial concerns, such as whether their retirement will be sufficient to cover the expense or whether they will become a financial burden on their children to more unspeakable fears like mistreatment… Read More »
Third Circuit Court of Appeals Approves “Half-a-Loaf” Annuity
According to a recent decision in Federal Court, the duration of a short-term annuity does not remove it from the safe-harbor provisions of Medicaid regulations. For those using the Medicaid plan often referred to as “half-a-loaf, this decision means that even if the annuity is established with payments over a very short duration, it… Read More »
What is Aid and Attendance and How can it Help?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has some great programs to help elderly veterans, even beyond the typical assistance of other programs like Social Security and Medicare. However, there is a lot of misinformation on the internet, and sometimes clients will approach experienced elder law attorneys in The Villages, asking about applying for… Read More »
