Recent Blog Posts
How is the Supreme Court’s Gay Marriage Decision Good for Senior Citizens?
Is the Supreme Court's gay marriage decision good for senior citizens? The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on June 26, 2013 stating that a key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional means that same-sex couples (in states that legally recognize...
Social Security – A Safety Net
Social Security – A Safety Net for Retired Americans, their Survivors, and the Disabled June 5, 2013 - By the NCPC Our council is dedicated to helping families recognize the need for long term care planning and to help implement that planning. All elderly people,...
Planning for a Special Needs Child
Quite often, I receive phone calls from parents of a special needs child concerned about how to plan for that child should something happen to them. For every phone call I receive, I know there at least ten other families out there who have not thought about planning...
Medicaid: Transitioning from skilled nursing to assisted living
Medicaid: Transitioning from skilled nursing to assisted living If you have a loved one who is being cared for in a skilled nursing facility and is receiving Medicaid benefits, and that person no longer needs to be in skilled nursing (but cannot live on their own or...
Beware “Medicaid Planners” who call themselves “experts”
Beware "Medicaid Planners" who are not attorneys You should NEVER have an attorney tell you that they can guarantee your Medicaid application is approved. You should NEVER have an attorney tell you they are an “expert” in elder law or special needs planning unless...
Durable Power of Attorney – Why does your eighteen year old need one?
Do you have children that have turned eighteen or about to turn eighteen? Do you have children that are in college or on their way to college? A few things every parent should know when your child turns 18 Did you realize that once your child turns eighteen your...
State Of Florida Resolution – May is recognized as Elder Law Month
Did you know that May is National Elder Law Month? Every year, for the month of May, Law Offices of Laurie E. Ohall P.A., P.A. provides FREE in -office consultations on a first come, first serve basis for senior citizens. While seminars can provide a plethora of...
Should I draft my own estate planning documents?
You’ve seen the commercials with OJ Simpson’s attorney telling you to go to a certain website, put in some information, and you can prepare your own estate planning documents with the click of a mouse. And I say – absolutely, go ahead and do that. Why would I say...
Springing Powers of Attorney – still viable in Florida?
Springing Powers of Attorney - still viable in Florida? Very often, a client wants me to prepare a durable power of attorney for them that cannot be used until they are determined to be incapacitated. This is because persons who serve as agents under a power of...
How does the Medicaid Reform in Florida affect me?
Medicaid Reform in Florida Under the Medicaid reform laws, Medicaid recipients are required to sign up for a new health plan within 30 days of being notified that it is time to pick a health plan. All Medicaid recipients are required to enroll in a managed care plan...
National Elder Law Month
Did you know that May is National Elder Law Month? Every year, for the month of May, Law Offices of Laurie E. Ohall P.A., P.A. provides FREE in -office consultations on a first come, first serve basis for senior citizens. While seminars can provide a plethora of...
Elder Law Questions: What is an annuity?
What is an Annuity? An annuity is an insurance product whose primary purpose is to pay income to an individual. It is generally used as part of a retirement plan. An individual will invest a certain sum of money for the promise that payments will be made to the...
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Tips
One of the best tips I think an alzheimer's caregiver can rely on is to educate themselves. An educated caregiver can make all the difference in dealing with the stress of the unknown. For instance, many caregivers are unaware that there are support groups available...
What happens to your Facebook Account when you Die?
In the last two years, there have been plenty of articles and blog posts written about this topic. Unfortunately, it does not seem like we’ve come very far in answering the question. Facebook and Twitter still do not allow family members access to a deceased...
Florida Department of Children and Families fails the poor and elderly…again.
There was an article in the Tampa Bay Times on Sunday, February 24, 2013 - (view article) discussing DCF's proposal of a bill that targets Florida Medicaid fraud among those trying to hide their assets. Once again, DCF is trying to use scare tactics to hurt the most...