What is Probate? Florida Probate Answers Revealed

by Laurie Ohall | Jan 17, 2011 | Estate Planning, Probate

What is probate? Probate in Florida is a court-supervised process where assets of a deceased person (the decedent) are identified and gathered by the personal representative/executor (means the same thing).  Essentially, the personal representative pays the decedent’s...

Is a Durable Power of Attorney useful after someone dies?

by Laurie Ohall | Jan 11, 2011 | Estate Planning, Probate

Durable Power of Attorney: can it be used after death? I had a client call me last month after her mother passed away.  She wanted to know why she couldn’t use the Florida durable power of attorney (DPOA) she had for her mother to close out a bank...

Important 2010 Tax Info Every Teacher Should Learn

by Laurie Ohall | Jan 5, 2011 | Estate Planning

If you are a teacher, student or someone who itemizes on their tax return, don’t plan on filing your tax return early. Because Congress waited so long in passing the Tax Relief Act of 2010, the Internal Revenue Service will be not be begin processing some tax returns...

The Tax Relief Act of 2010 – How Does it Affect You?

by Laurie Ohall | Dec 29, 2010 | Estate Planning, Probate, Senior Lifestyles

On December 17, 2010, President Obama signed into law the 2010 Tax Relief Act which has provisions dealing with income tax, estate tax and unemployment insurance provisions.  What is important about this new law is that it is a temporary measure and, for the most...

Dad, Can We Talk? Answers to 9 Top Questions About Discussing Long-Term Care Planning

by Laurie Ohall | Dec 27, 2010 | Elder Law, Estate Planning, Long Term Care Planning, Medicaid, Senior Lifestyles

Recently a reporter asked ElderLawAnswers founder and president, Harry S. Margolis, some questions for an article on talking with aging parents or other family members about sensitive issues such as wills, funeral arrangements, assisted living or medical treatment...

Elder Law Attorneys Specialize in Helping the Elderly

by Laurie Ohall | Nov 20, 2010 | Elder Law, End of Life Issues, Estate Planning, Long Term Care Planning, Medicaid, Senior Lifestyles

Many elderly persons rely entirely on their children, family members or other trusted individuals to help them. This dependence upon caregivers or family members makes an older person more vulnerable to abuse and financial exploitation. Legal arrangements and...