Blog: Estate Planning
Tax Time is a great time to review your estate planning
You’ve compiled all your tax information and given it to your CPA (or sat down at Turbo Tax and done it yourself). You’ve determined whether you are due a refund or whether you owe money to the I.R.S. And, by now, you’ve either filed your taxes or you’ve requested...
CONSUMER ALERT: Florida CFO Warns Consumers about Misleading Postcard Solicitations for Annuities
*Consumer Alert* Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater Warns Consumers about Misleading Postcard Solicitations for Annuities TALLAHASSEE—Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater today warned consumers about a scam that involves misleading postcards sent to...
Be prepared for things that could go wrong in Florida Probate
I often have clients that come to me to help them probate the estate of their loved one, and they tell me that everyone is in agreement with what needs to happen in the estate or that there are no creditors. I cringe every time because, in my mind, that will jinx the...
What do I do when my loved one dies?
One of the things I love about my practice is that my clients often give me hugs and say “thank you” because they know that I’ve helped them. One of the things I don’t love is when someone calls to tell me a client passed away. It is always a sad occasion and never...
Top 5 Reasons to Avoid Probate
Almost every time I meet with a client, they tell me that they are interested in avoiding probate. Many times, the client is unsure of what a probate actually is. Probate is a Court proceeding which occurs when someone dies having property (real estate, bank...
Can a personal injury settlement affect my receipt of V.A. Aid and Attendance?
A couple of months ago, a veteran who is receiving care in an assisted living facility and receives Aid and Attendance called to ask whether the receipt of a personal injury settlement would affect his benefits. He was involved in a car accident about two years ago,...
What you need to know about Medicaid in 2012
Medicaid provides Medical coverage to low income individuals and families. The state and federal government share the costs of the Medicaid program. Medicaid services in Florida are administered by the Agency for Health Care Administration. Medicaid eligibility in...
Can I avoid probate of my homestead without using a revocable trust?
I frequently have clients that come to me because they have been told that they need to put their house into a revocable living trust in order to avoid probate. Many times, this is the only major asset they own, and with the property values having plummeted in recent...
The Top 5 Reasons Planning Ahead Could Save Your Family and Your Wallet
I was reading a Forbes magazine article the other day entitled “Make a New Year’s Resolution to Give Your Estate Plan a Checkup” by Deborah L. Jacobs, and I was reminded about how much people dislike going to visit their estate planning attorney (I think we’re right...
Ohall named speaker at Medicaid, Medicare and Long-Term Care Seminar
Tampa Attorney, Laurie Ohall, was named one of three instructional speakers at the upcoming National Business Institute Seminar "What Every Attorney Needs to Know About Medicaid, Medicare and Long-Term Care" on January 25, 2012. About the Course: Understand How the...
What you should know about estate planning
(ARA) – If you don’t make $1 million a year, only own one modest home and are still driving the same car you bought six years ago, you might think you don’t need to engage in “estate planning.” Or you may think your family accountant or attorney will be the only...
Financial Safety Nets Important, but Difficult to Achieve
A new American Dream that is less conventional and more personalized is emerging, according to the fifth annual MetLife Study of the American Dream. Specifically stated within the nationwide survey is a look at attitudes toward financial safety nets. A financial...
Social Security Cost Of Living Increase is Good News for Seniors
Some good news for Seniors Social Security announced a 3.6 percent increase in benefits for 2012. This is the first cost-of-living increase since 2009. What does that mean to you? If you are receiving social security, your increase will start with checks issued in...
Cost of Living Adjustment increases aid for Veterans
President Obama signed the Veteran’s Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011 on November 9, 2011 which increases the rates of veterans’ disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans,...
Can I Get Paid to Care for an Elderly Family Member?
As the number of family members providing care for aging parents increases, the solutions to find help with loss of income because of time off from employment for caregiving has become a major concern for many. The demands on both the time and energy needed to provide...