Recent Blog Posts
Is Your Estate Plan “Unwritten”– Yes, you, Ms. or Mr. Eighteen year old.
As Natasha Bedingfield wrote, “The pen’s in my hand, ending unplanned.” You might ask yourself, as an eighteen year old or young college student, why do I need to plan anything? All you have to do is look at the case of Terri Schiavo (and if you don’t know who that...
Last Chance to tell them to VOTE NO to Florida House Medicaid Bill
The Florida House of Representatives will vote on a sweeping overhaul of Florida’s Medicaid program by Thursday, with debate starting TOMORROW. This is a dangerous bill that puts the well-being of 3 million Floridians- including poor children, pregnant women, disabled...
The Harm Florida Medicaid Reform Will Cause Senior Citizens Proposed Medicaid Reform Based on Misconceptions
While it is common knowledge that there are budget issues in Florida, much of the Medicaid Reform proposal appears to be based on misconception, misinformation and misunderstanding. This can lead to a bill that slashes critically needed care for our senior citizens...
The Harm Florida Medicaid Reform Will Cause Senior Citizens Spousal Refusal
Current proposed legislation in Florida strikes a blow to family values because it proposes to no longer allow a husband or wife to protect their individual assets when the other gets ill, putting life savings at risk. That means elderly couples may have to get...
The Harm Florida Medicaid Reform Will Cause Senior Citizens Shifting to Managed Care
Did you know that Florida Medicaid Reform will shift vulnerable senior citizens from Medicaid to for-profit HMOs? Case histories in Florida prove that this won't work and many vulnerable Floridians could be left with inadequate care. When you remove the "care" from...
The Harm Florida Medicaid Reform Will Cause Senior Citizens: Personal Service Contracts
Personal Service Contracts Florida law allows family members, who leave their jobs to provide daily healthcare for their aging parents, to be paid to provide these services. Current proposed legislation would stop these payments, leaving families to choose between...
Choosing Home Care Services That Meet Your Needs
Making the decision to hire a home care service to provide care for your loved one is an important decision and can, at the same time, be very difficult. If an illness or recovery from surgery requires nursing care or physical therapy, a physician may order skilled...
Florida Medicaid Reform: It’s Not All It’s Cracked Up to Be
The 2011 Florida Legislature is looking at ways to cut the budget, and one of their considerations is Medicaid reform. While I agree there are budget issues in Florida, much of the Medicaid Reform seems to be based on misconception, misinformation and...
Working with Elder Parents in Planning Financially for their Long Term Care
You may be taking care of elderly parents now or looking at that possibility in the near future. According to a report from USATODAY/ABCNews/Gallup Poll, 41% of baby boomers are helping take care of elderly parents by providing personal help or financial assistance or...
Living at Home with Dementia
Written By : Denis Ashauer For adult children the recognition of dementia can either be a slow process or it can be "WOW! Things have changed!" This coupled with honoring the loved ones wishes about staying at home can create a dilemma. For those who are physically...
What is the 2010 IRA Contribution Deadline?
From Michael Rubin, your Guide to Retirement Planning The deadline to contribute to your IRA in any given year is the due date of the tax return of that year. For 2010 filing, you have an three more days than usual! Although 2010 is long gone in the eyes of most, not...
Florida Probate Questions Answered: What about Homestead Property?
Florida Probate Florida law recently changed in October, 2010 with respect to how a homestead passes from the decedent to his or her surviving spouse and descendants. Under the old law, if the house was solely in the name of the decedent who was survived by a spouse,...
Somebody’s Sweetheart
The month of February and Valentines Day brings a celebration of love and stirs couples to rekindle feelings of romance and devotion. Not so different from young couples are aging seniors, celebrating memories of sweethearts and romance in days gone by. Sit a while...
Florida Probate: What if there is no Will?
If a person dies without a Will (or if the Will is invalid), then the estate is “intestate”. This simply means that Florida law dictates the decedent’s heirs and who is entitled to administer the estate, i.e., be the personal representative/executor. If someone dies...
Florida Probate & Estate Planning: What is a Will?
A will in Florida is a writing, signed by the decedent and two witnesses, that meets the requirements of Florida law. Additionally, to save your estate costs at your death, the Will should have a “self-proving affidavit” where both the decedent and the witnesses sign...