Recent Blog Posts
What If I Change My Mind? Understanding the Flexibility of Estate Planning in Florida
One of the most common concerns I hear from clients is the fear of being "locked in" to their estate planning decisions. They worry about appointing someone as power of attorney or trustee, then later regretting that choice. Here's what I want you to know: your estate...
Is Your Estate Plan Naughty or Nice?
It's that time of year when Santa's making his list and checking it twice. But when was the last time you checked your estate plan? If you're like most families, it's been a while. Maybe you set everything up years ago and haven't looked at it since. Perhaps you've...
How to Navigate Grief and Estate Administration in Brandon Over the Holidays
The holidays bring their own demands: family gatherings, travel plans, shopping lists, and endless obligations. When you add the loss of a loved one to this already hectic season, the weight can feel unbearable. You're grieving while simultaneously facing estate...
Beyond the Will: Why Trusts in Hillsborough County Matter for Families with Children
When most parents think about estate planning, they think about writing a will. And while a will is certainly important, it's only part of the picture. If you have children, trusts offer protections and benefits that a will simply cannot provide, and understanding...
10 Essential Questions to Ask When Touring Nursing Homes: A Fish Hawk Elder Law Attorney’s Guide
Choosing a nursing home for a parent is one of the most difficult decisions families face. As a Florida Board Certified Elder Law attorney serving families throughout Fish Hawk, Brandon, and Riverview, I've walked alongside countless families through this emotional...
Planning for Adult Children with Addiction Issues: A Sensitive Approach
As a Lithia estate planning attorney, I've sat across from many parents grappling with one of the most heart-wrenching estate planning challenges: how to provide for an adult child struggling with addiction while protecting them from potential harm. These...
Protecting Your Family Business in Divorce: Estate Planning Strategies for Brandon Entrepreneurs
Building a successful family business takes years of dedication, strategic planning, and countless hours of hard work. As a Brandon estate planning attorney who works with many local entrepreneurs, I've seen how divorce can threaten not just personal relationships,...
Your IRA Beneficiary Form Might Contradict Your Will (And Why That’s a Problem)
As a Riverview estate planning attorney, I regularly encounter a scenario that catches families completely off guard: a meticulously crafted will that gets undermined by an outdated beneficiary designation form. Many people don't realize that their IRA beneficiary...
New Medicaid Eligibility Changes: What Brandon Seniors Need to Know
Recent legislative changes are reshaping Medicaid eligibility requirements, creating new challenges for Florida seniors and their families. As a Brandon elder law attorney, I'm seeing increased concern among clients about how these modifications will impact their...
How Will Your Reverse Mortgage Affect Your Heirs? A Lithia Estate Planning Perspective
Reverse mortgages can provide valuable financial flexibility for seniors, but many homeowners worry about how these loans will impact their children and grandchildren after they're gone. As a Lithia estate planning attorney, I help families understand exactly what...
How Detailed Should Your End-of-Life Wishes Be?
When creating your estate plan, one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects involves documenting your end-of-life care preferences. As a Riverview estate planning attorney, I frequently help families navigate this sensitive but crucial component of...
Should You Choose an Out-of-State Trustee? A Brandon Trust Attorney’s Guide
Many Florida retirees face a common dilemma when creating their estate plans: their most trusted family members live hundreds or thousands of miles away. As a Brandon trust attorney, I frequently help clients weigh whether appointing an out-of-state trustee is the...
Don’t Pay Your Loved One’s Debts Until You Talk to a Hillsborough County Probate Lawyer First!
The phone starts ringing within days of your loved one's passing. Credit card companies, medical billing departments, and debt collectors all seem to have one urgent message: immediate payment is required. In your grief and confusion, your first instinct might be to...
The Hidden Costs of Aging: What No One Tells You About Long-Term Care
As a Brandon elder law attorney, I've witnessed countless families face a harsh reality: the staggering cost of long-term care. While most people plan for retirement, few truly understand the financial impact of needing extended care as they age. Let me share what no...
If Your Children Have No Contact With You, Do You Have to Include Them in Your Estate Plan?
Family relationships can be complicated, and sometimes children and parents become estranged for various reasons. If you're in this difficult situation, you might be wondering whether you're legally required to leave anything to children who no longer have contact...