Blog: Estate Planning
The 3 most important documents every parent should have for their college-bound teenager
Don’t you love that Office Depot jingle where the father is all excited because it’s time to go shopping for school supplies and get the children back to school? It always makes me laugh. It’s also an exciting time for those parents who have children about to go to...
Advance Care Directives – Taking control of your own medical care and destiny
Advance Care Directives are specific instructions about medical care if that person becomes unable to do so. An example is a Living Will, a document that explains the wishes of a person during a terminal illness. Do Not Resuscitate Order, for example: "No CPR if...
Why do I need long term care insurance?
I usually have a discussion with almost every estate planning client that I meet with about long term care insurance. Some clients respond by saying, “I’m too young to need that” to which I respond – ever heard of Terry Schaivo? She was only 26 years old when she...
My special needs child is about to turn 18 – Am I still in charge?
I have been receiving an alarmingly high volume of phone calls over the last few months from individuals who have children with special needs that are about to turn 18 and they are panicked because they have been told they will lose the ability to make legal, health...
What happens to my social media accounts when I die?
Back in 2009, I was featured on Bay News 9 as a reporter was working on a story of a mother who wished to maintain the online presence for her teenage daughter. This question comes up quite a bit as we become a more digital population and our lives play out...
A little estate planning can go a long way
A friend of mine passed away a few weeks ago. He was not married but had a life partner. They had done all of their estate planning and thought that everything was in order. The only problem? My friend’s parent was not very accepting of her child's partner, and,...
Ohall as featured speaker on estate planning for local retirement community
Each month, the Bridges Retirement community invites professionals to present information on various topics related to senior residents. Brandon elder law attorney, Laurie Ohall, will be the featured speaker on May 30, 2012 at 10:00 am discussing the importance of...
Autism at 18: What can a parent do financially and legally?
My child is autistic and is about to turn 18. Her doctor told me that I better look into a guardianship because I will not have any authority to control health care decisions or financial decisions once she turns 18. Is this true? I must receive at least five phone...
What is your religion’s view on Living Wills?
Last year, a couple came into my office to sign their estate planning documents. They were Catholic and when it came time to sign the Living Will, the husband refused to sign it because he was unsure of the Catholic Church’s view on Living Wills. He stated that he...
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,...