Recent Blog Posts
Teachers and Coronavirus: 4 Estate Planning Documents to Have in Place
As colleges and schools attempt to restart in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, our Tampa will lawyers have been hearing from many teachers who want to learn more about putting an estate plan in place. Some have even told us that their Teacher’s Unions have...
Hillsborough County Probate Lawyer: 4 Common Situations When Probate Is Not Required
A lot of people have concerns about going through the Hillsborough County probate process after the loss of a loved one because they’ve heard it’s time-consuming and costly. What many people don’t realize, however, is that not every asset has to go through a lengthy...
Nursing Home or Assisted Living: How to Choose During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Even as we continue to navigate through this new world and the risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re still tasked with ensuring our seniors receive the best care possible. Virus or not, there are going to be cases when our loved ones simply cannot stay in their...
Can I Change or Revoke a Power of Attorney? | Brandon Estate Planning Lawyer
A power of attorney, or POA, is a document that allows you to authorize another person to make decisions on your behalf. In this case, you are called the principal, the one granting authority. The person whom you grant authority to is called the agent or...
Tampa Estate Planning Attorneys: 5 Situations When You Should Update Your Living Trust
Most Tampa estate planning attorneys recommend that their clients re-evaluate their plans every few years. Part of that review should include taking a look at your Revocable Living Trust to ensure it's up-to-date. However, in between these regular review periods, you...
Brandon Will Lawyer: What to Know Before Setting Up a Life Estate
A life estate is a form of ownership of real property. Essentially, it gives someone the right to occupy and enjoy the full use of a property until the life tenant’s death. Creating a life estate is a strategy commonly used by seniors who wish to retain their rights...
Tampa Will and Estate Lawyer Answers, “Will My Old Estate Planning Documents Still Work if I Get COVID-19?”
Florida appears to be experiencing an early “second wave” or, at the very least, an uptick in coronavirus cases. We’ve been hearing from countless Tampa-area residents who have questions about their estate plans, and specifically whether any older documents they...
Tampa Special Needs Lawyer Answers, “What Happens to Any Money Left in a Special Needs Trust?”
Our Tampa special needs lawyers are often contacted after the death of a loved one with disabilities to find out what happens with any money left over in a Special Needs Trust. The answer to that question depends on the type of trust that was initially created, and...
Tampa Probate Lawyer Answers, “Can I Assume or Take Over Someone’s Mortgage When They Die?”
Most people have mortgages on their homes, and loved ones are often surprised that a mortgage doesn’t magically disappear when the property owner passes away. We often hear from heirs who want to know what their options are for dealing with an outstanding mortgage as...
Tips for Managing an Out-of-State Probate Due to COVID-19 | Hillsborough County Probate Lawyers
Florida is unique in that many of our residents split their time between our state and other parts of the country during the warmer months. As such, “snowbirds” (or even their families), may find themselves dealing with an exceptionally challenging problem during the...
Avoiding Probate with Joint Accounts and Beneficiaries | Tampa Estate Planning Lawyer
A common concern for people who meet with a Tampa estate planning lawyer for the first time is the desire to avoid probate. Perhaps they’ve been through the process after the loss of a loved one and they now want to take steps to help their own family avoid the legal...
Stay in Control: Use These Strategies to Avoid an Adult Guardianship in Florida
When a person, usually a senior, loses the ability to manage his or her affairs due to age or mental impairment, an adult guardian may need to be appointed by the local courts. This process allows a judge to appoint a person who is legally responsible for all aspects...
Parents: Beware of DIY Estate Planning Tools If Your Child Has Special Needs!
Parents of kids with special needs want the peace of mind knowing that if anything happens to mom or dad, a guardian of their choosing will care for their child and that there will be enough money left behind to provide such care for the remainder of the child’s life....
Attorney Dana Kemper Receives Certification in Elder Law. Here’s What That Means for You…
Note from Laurie Ohall, Founding Attorney of Law Offices of Laurie E. Ohall P.A. Since the inception of our firm, our mission has been clear: to provide quality life-care planning services and legal representation to seniors, families and the most vulnerable members...
Tampa Elder Lawyer Offers Tips When Providing “Socially Distanced” Care for an Older Loved One
As we move into the next phase of the coronavirus crisis where social distancing guidelines are slowly relaxed and more people go back to work, the state and federal governments are still recommending that we shield the most vulnerable among us. Unfortunately, those...