Guardianship

February 27, 2012

Elder Law Lawyers look to Alzheimers Research

As Jacksonville Elder Law Lawyers, we are always looking for the most effective and least restrictive ways in which to serve the needs of our Jacksonville elderly. We keep current of the Florida statutes and the numerous Florida cases which interpret matters involving Florida’s senior citizens.

Elder law encompasses many aspects, including estate planning, guardianship, medicaid issues, and of course, health care issues. As Florida Elder Law Attorneys, we also look to various research and articles throughout the nation which focuses on issues related to aging.

Recently an interesting article caught our attention dealing with coconut oil and it’s effect on those suffering with dementia and Alzheimers. We want to share information we learn of that may have a positive impact on your lives. This article addresses alternative medical treatment.

November 15, 2011

Exploitation of the Elderly

by Patricia Davis

For those working with Jacksonville Elder Law Attorneys the Florida news that a daughter living with her elderly mother was accused of stealing her mother’s money to fuel a gambling and drug addiction was not a shock. In attempting to ascertain the Florida elder mother’s mental state, the investigators turned to her doctors.

The medical insight gleaned from treating physicians can lead to tougher charges against those who use their position of trust to scam the elderly. However, many doctors’ are hesitant to get involved in the Florida legal proceedings of their elderly patients.

In Florida counties, where the population of elderly over the age of 60 often exceeds 25%, many law enforcement financial crimes units are seeking volunteer licensed physicians. These doctors assist in determining the mental and physical state of a victim at the time of the perpetration and fraud.

October 20, 2011

Guardianship Lawyers Serving Elderly

by Patricia Davis

August 22, 2011

Voluntary Guardians Assist Individuals in Daily Tasks

by Patricia Davis

A Florida Voluntary Guardianship is a great option for those with elderly parents and elderly relatives who have increasing difficulty managing their own “property affairs”. Business transactions such as banking matters, real estate transactions, and money management are some of the everyday tasks that become increasingly difficult to handle for Florida’s elderly.

Ponte Vedra or Jacksonville residents may become a

Voluntary Guardian

July 25, 2011

Other Jacksonville Estate Planning Lawyer Blogs and related Sites

by David M. Goldman

Over the past several years the Law Office of David M. Goldman PLLC has expanded into several additional practice areas. As these practice areas grown we have been adding staff and creating more informational blogs to help consumers and our clients understand some of the common legal issues. May of our current readers do not realize that we cover these additional practice areas so I wanted to take a moment to update you with them:

For those of you who use an iPhone, we are trying to make some of the information and resources available through our new

Law Office of David M. Goldman PLLC iPhone Application.

July 11, 2011

Child Custody and Summer Vacation

by Patricia Davis

As Floridians we know that Jacksonville summers seem to blend into the Florida Fall. Before you know it, school registration will be upon us, sports physical exams, and signing up for health insurance. As the non-legal parent of a minor child, don’t wait until the school year begins to obtain Florida legal custody over your grandchild, niece, nephew or other minor relative.

Florida Statutes, Chapter 751 recognizes that many minor children live with and are cared for by members of their extended family and not by their natural or legal parents. An “extended family member” is any relative within the 3rd degree by blood or marriage to the parent, or the stepparent of a child if currently married to the parent and not in a pending civil or criminal proceeding involving one or both of the child’s parent as an adverse party.

If you are a Jacksonville individual eligible to bring a proceeding in the circuit court to obtain legal temporary custody of a minor child under your care, contact a Jacksonville Custody Attorney to discuss the importance of obtaining court ordered legal custody. For more information on Child Custody in Florida please review our Jacksonville Divorce Attorney Blog

July 8, 2011

What is a Florida Guardian?

by Patricia Davis

A Florida guardian is a surrogate decision-maker appointed by the court to make personal

and/or financial decisions for a minor-child or for an adult with mental and/or physical disabilities. After the court has found that a person requires a Florida Guardian, they are referred to as a “ward.”

Florida Statutes provide for the appointment of a guardian for a minor in Florida in certain circumstances, such as when the child’s parents die, they are unable to care for a child, or if a child receives an inheritance exceeding an amount parents are allowed by statute to receive on behalf of their child.

July 7, 2011

Pre-Need Guardianships in Florida

by Patricia Davis

As a Jacksonville Guardian Attorney, I am often asked about the details in establishing a Guardianships in Jacksonville Florida. If a Pre-Need guardian has been selected by the Ward, the court will look to their eligibility first before looking at others. A Florida Pre-Need Guardian is a person who has been named by a competent adult to serve as guardian in the event of his or her future incapacity.

A Florida Pre-need Guardian is a person you name in a written declaration to serve as a guardian in the event of your future incapacity. Parents may also nominate a pre-need guardian for their minor children to act in the event of their incapacity or demise.

A Pre-Need guardian assumes the duties of guardian immediately upon the adjudication of incapacity and must petition the court for confirmation of the appointment. For minors, the Pre-Need guardian assumes such duties upon the adjudication of incapacity or the death of the last surviving parent.

June 29, 2011

What Happens In Florida when a Minor Child is a Beneficiary of a Last Will and Testament?

by Patricia Davis

It happens frequently. A minor child inherits either personal property, including money, bank accounts, CD’s, money markets, or is left an interest in real property. Who looks out for the best interest of the minor child?

Although Florida natural guardians (parents) have all the rights and authority over their minor child’s “person”, natural guardians do not have all of the rights and power over the minor’s “property”. Parents are authorized on behalf of their minor children to settle, collect, receive, and manage real or personal property distributed from an estate or trust, when the amounts received, in the aggregate, DO NOT exceed $15,000.00. Florida Statutes 744.301(2).

Florida law allows a court to appoint a Guardian Ad Litem (a fiduciary appointed by the court) to represent and protect the minor’s best interests. The Guardian Advocate will act for the minor child in a probate proceeding involving an inheritance by either a Will, a Trust, or when the minor child inherits property through the Florida Intestacy Statute.

June 20, 2011

From Younger Brother to Florida Legal Guardian

by Patricia Davis

More and more these days, Jacksonville family members must step in and take the reins needed to guide a loved one who is unable to take care of themselves. Whether it is a mental health condition or substance abuse issue, sometimes an individual needs help. To be able to assist your family member in choosing the right treatment and rehabilitative facility, to ensure that the person is being compliant with his/her medications, you must become the legal guardian over the person in need.

There are different types of Florida legal guardianship and the type of guardian you should become is dependent upon the specific problems and needs of the person you are about to help. An experienced Florida Guardianship Attorney can assist you in determining your best option.

A guardian is a person appointed by the court to act on behalf of a ward’s person or property or both. A guardian may have limited authority or plenary (complete) authority.