The Medicaid Asset Test If you qualify under the income test or can create a Qualified Income Trust (QIT) you must still pass the Medicaid asset test. This test can be the most daunting and confusing. First, you must know the asset test limits. These vary between single and married…
Florida Estate Planning Lawyer Blog
Florida Elective Share Held Constitutional
Magee v. Magee, 32 Fla. L. Weekly 02307 (Fla. 2d DCA September 26, 2007) In a challenge to the constitutionality of Florida’s elective share statutes, the Second District Court of Appeal upheld a lower court ruling that the statute is constitutional. The Court applied a test of whether there is…
Response from RocketLawyer about Defective Durable Power of Attorney
Today, I received a response from RocketLawyer about the article I wrote on using a Free Durable Power of Attorney and potential problems. The good news is they are asking for help to fix the problems. As noted in their email, they do encourage visitors to seek legal counsel from…
Florida Land Owner Dies prior to sale of Property
Vazpuez v. Bvrski, 32 Fla. L. Weekly D2415 (Fla. 2d DCA October 10, 2007) Prior to his death, a decedent entered a contract to sell real property. The decedent died prior to closing on the contract. The purchaser filed a Petition for Administration in which he expressly alleged the obligation…
Blogging from China
I am currently in Shanghai China for the next 5 days and then heading to Osaka and Tokyo for 3 nights each. I am planning to keep posting new issues to my blog while I am gone. In addition, I will be responding to emails and will be available over…
Real Estate Titled wrong prior to Death and Probate
Fernandez-Fox v. Estate of David P. Lindsay, 33 Fla. L. Weekly D259 (5th DCA January 18, 2008) Fox and the Decedent had owned real property they had intended to have titled joint with rights of survivorship. Because of an error, the title was not correctly designated in the public records…
Family Member Disqualified as Guardian Because ofr Conduct
Major v. Rowe, 965 So. 2d 847 (Fla. 2nd DCA September 28, 2007) Appointment of a professional non-family Florida Guardian is appropriate even though a family member is willing to serve as a Florida Guardian for the ward. The court noted that “family members, if otherwise qualified, are generally entitled…
Contempt Overtruned for Son Hiding Incapacitated Mother
Graham v. Florida Dept of Children and Families (Graham II), 970 So.2d 438 (Fla. 4th DCA December 5, 2007) This is the continuing saga of the battle between Luke and Laurence over their mother Betty, who DCF had determined was in need of guardianship after determining “Luke is the son…
Nebraska NFA Gun Trust Lawyer®
Nebraska has joined the growing list of states in which we have a relationship with a lawyer who is familiar with the (NFA) National Firearms Act’s requirements relating to the formation of trusts to purchase Title II Firearms (sold by Class 3 SOT dealers). These include silencers, short barrel rifles,…
Florida Court Maintains Jurisdiction when Ward is Moved to Another State
Weissenbom v. Graham (Graham 1), 963 So. 2d 275 (Fla. 4th DCA August 1, 2007) – During the course of a Florida Guardianship Dispute between the wards two sons, one of the sons moved the ward from Florida to a “secret location” in another state. That son then arranged for…