Home   Archive by category 'Florida Laws'

Category Archives: Florida Laws

Florida VA Benefits: What You Should Know

I had the privilege of visiting MacDill Air Force Base last month and had the opportunity to tour the base.  At the end of the tour, we were treated to drinks at a restaurant on base.  The restaurant is near an RV park which is on MacDill property and which the AFB allows retired military to stay.  The retirees are there from November through
Learn more »


What you need to know about Medicaid in 2012

Medicaid provides Medical coverage to low income individuals and families. The state and federal government share the costs of the Medicaid program. Medicaid services in Florida are administered by the Agency for Health Care Administration. Medicaid eligibility in Florida is determined either by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or the Social Security Administration (for SSI recipients). DCF determines Medicaid eligibility for: Low income
Learn more »


Can I avoid probate of my homestead without using a revocable trust?

I frequently have clients that come to me because they have been told that they need to put their house into a revocable living trust in order to avoid probate.  Many times, this is the only major asset they own, and with the property values having plummeted in recent years, it may not be worth it to incur the expense of setting up a
Learn more »


The Top 5 Reasons Planning Ahead Could Save Your Family and Your Wallet

I was reading a Forbes magazine article the other day entitled “Make a New Year’s Resolution to Give Your Estate Plan a Checkup” by Deborah L. Jacobs, and I was reminded about how much people dislike going to visit their estate planning attorney (I think we’re right up there with dentists, probably higher).  One may wonder what is the point of planning ahead, and
Learn more »


Ohall named speaker at Medicaid, Medicare and Long-Term Care Seminar

Tampa Attorney, Laurie Ohall, was named one of three instructional speakers at the upcoming National Business Institute Seminar “What Every Attorney Needs to Know About Medicaid, Medicare and Long-Term Care” on January 25, 2012. About the Course: Understand How the Public Benefits System Affects Your Practice Barbara and Bill have been married for 40 years. Bill is a Korean War veteran. He starts developing
Learn more »


Can I Get Paid to Care for an Elderly Family Member?

As the number of family members providing care for aging parents increases, the solutions to find help with loss of income because of time off from employment for caregiving has become a major concern for many. The demands on both the time and energy needed to provide the needed care can make it impossible to maintain both a full time job with full time
Learn more »


What is the difference between a living will and a DNR?

A DNR order is not the same as a living will.  A DNR is an order signed by a doctor which indicates that the patient should not be resuscitated.   This has to be signed by both the doctor and the patient (or their healthcare surrogate, healthcare proxy or court appointed guardian).  Click here to see what a DNR looks like: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/demo/trauma/DNRO/Form1896.pdf A Living will,
Learn more »


Florida Guardianship: What is the Role of Guardian?

Guardianship is a very serious matter.  A Florida guardian is expected to report to the court on an annual basis regarding how the Ward is being cared for, where the Ward is being cared for and the guardian is expected to provide an accounting to the court regarding the Ward’s funds.  Guardians are usually required to take an eight hour course once they are
Learn more »


Florida Guardianship: Who may be appointed as guardian?

Who may be appointed as guardian?  Florida statutes state that any resident of the state who is sui juris (legally competent) and 18 years of age or older may act as a guardian of the ward.  Non-residents may also serve as guardian as long as they are related by blood, legally adoptive children or parents, or the spouse, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew
Learn more »


Why is a Guardianship Necessary?

Why is a guardianship necessary?  A guardianship is a legal proceeding whereby an individual (the “ward) is determined to be incapacitated, their rights are taken away, and a guardian is appointed to take care of the ward and exercise the legal rights of the ward.   If someone becomes incapacitated and cannot handle their financial affairs or cannot physically take care of themselves, a guardianship
Learn more »


Switch to our mobile site