Recent Blog Posts
Spousal Refusal and Asset Protection Planning for Medicaid Qualification
Admitting that one may need long-term and highly skilled medical care in a nursing home is not an easy concept to accept. For many, the thought is so unpleasant they fail to do anything to plan for this possibility, and then must scramble to qualify for Medicaid, which has strict income and asset limits…. Read More »
Can a Third-Party Refuse to Honor a Power of Attorney?
Well-developed estate plans often include a number of documents that collectively serve to provide a person with the oversight he/she wants of his/her property, as well as to ensure the individual’s wishes are followed in the event he/she becomes incapacitated. Powers of attorney are commonly used in estate plans, and typically authorize a third… Read More »
Choosing between an Individual and Corporate/Professional Trustee
Putting together a trust is a beneficial feature for many estate plans. Trusts, depending upon the type, can shield assets from creditors’ claims, and will allow the creator to control how his/her assets are treated after death. Working and sacrificing to amass property to pass onto loved ones is a goal for many individuals… Read More »
The Medicaid Waiting List: Do You Have Options?
Dealing with the disabilities that frequently accompany getting older is not an easy transition for anyone. Finding the money to pay someone to provide these services is beyond the reach of most individuals and their families. Medicaid is an option most seniors seek to access when health issues become too severe to handle without… Read More »
How Does the Probate Process Work?
When a loved one dies, there are many issues that need immediate attention in order to hold the funeral and cover pressing expenses. However, the bulk of dealing with the aftermath of death is addressing the distribution of the deceased’s assets. Hopefully, he/she executed an estate plan that outlines how property should be divided,… Read More »
Florida Estate Plans When You Own Out-of-State Property
Florida is well-known as a vacation destination for people from around the world, but it is also increasingly a place in which people want to establish a permanent home. People know about snowbirds and retirees flocking to the state, but the rate of new residents moving to the area every day (more than 900)… Read More »
The Consequences to Your Estate of Selling Property Below Market Value
When people start contemplating how to distribute property as part of an estate plan, giving some of that property to loved ones is a common goal. Wanting to keep property in the family is a laudable intention, and is usually a reflection of the sacrifices required to acquire it. Thus, seeing the asset go… Read More »
Estate Planning for Different Assets
Anyone interested in creating an estate plan does not have to look hard to find a wide variety of do-it-yourself forms and templates that claim to cover all the necessary aspects of this endeavor. The problem with this approach is that placing all assets into a one-size-fits-all box fails to account for how the… Read More »
Protecting Yourself from Estate Planning Scams
The media is full of reminders about how important estate planning is. For those living in Florida, with a large population over 65, this message is even more prevalent. Contemplating the need for estate planning is especially common as one gets older, and individuals begin to consider what will happen when they are gone…. Read More »
Asset Protection Options for Your Business and Personal Wealth
Amassing and maintaining any level of financial security requires planning and sacrifice to ensure that any decisions made do not unnecessarily expose assets to outside risk. People often think that asset protection strategies are only useful to the very wealthy, but anyone with property of value would benefit from review and advice from an… Read More »
