Medicaid Planning

November 30, 2011

2012 Florida Mediaid Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility requirements for Medicaid have changed for Florida as of 1/1/2012. There were changed in the income criteria, maximum amount of assets, and maximum equity in your homestead property.

Florida Medicaid Income Limits as of 1/1/2012.

The Applicant’s income limits have increased from $2022/ month to $2094/month. If the applicant for Medicaid has income in excess of $2094, they may use a Qualified Income Trust or Miller Trust to help the applicant qualify for Florida Medicaid Benefits under the Medicaid Asset Test.

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.

November 7, 2011

Florida probate Hanbook Updated

by David M. Goldman

I recently updated the Free Florida Probate Handbook to deal with many of the changes from this year’s legislature. If you have a previous copy or would like an undated version please let us know by requesting on this page.

October 20, 2011

Guardianship Lawyers Serving Elderly

by Patricia Davis

October 20, 2011

Florida Medicaid and Durable Powers Of Attorney

by David M. Goldman

DCF will reject Medicaid planning involving trusts and personal service contracts where a power of attorney is executed after 10/1/11 and the DPOA does not specifically authorize the ability to execute trusts or personal services contracts.

If you are using forms for a POA or DPOA, you should have them reviewed by an attorney as the may not be valid with the recent law change. In addition, the forms may not let you accomplish what needs to be done in regards to planning for a nursing home or Medicaid eligibility.

September 25, 2011

Protect the Elderly from Scams

by Patricia Davis

Recently in the Jacksonville news there was a disturbing story about Florida’s senior citizens being exploited. Men posing as bank investigators were targeting Jacksonville women in their 70’s and 80’s. These women were being told, among other things, that illegal activity was occurring in their bank accounts, thereby paving the way for the con men to obtain crucial bank account information.

As a Jacksonville Elder Law Attorney, this is just one of the many horrific stories I hear about our Florida Elderly population being taken advantage of and exploited.

The Florida Statutes provide for a remedy when abuse, neglect or exploitation of elderly person or disabled adult occur. This abuse can take the form of financial theft and exploitation, or the intentional infliction of physical or psychological harm. The amount of money involved, the nature, the and severity of the injury will determine the degree of the crime.

September 25, 2011

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Wishes and the Elderly.

by Patricia Davis

Florida elders know the importance of having a Living Will prepared. A Florida Living Will is a legal document, which expresses a person’s wishes as to life-prolonging procedures. A Living Will typically only comes in to play when certain legally defined conditions exist. These conditions are:

a Terminable Condition;
an End-State Condition; and

September 11, 2011

Differences between Estate Planning and Elder Law

by Patricia Davis

Many Middleburg families have thought about their future and what they want to happen upon their incapacity or death. However, many Middleburg families have not made that important call to consult with a Jacksonville Estate Planning Attorney about memorializing their thoughts in valid legal documents.

When you plan in advance you make your own decisions, you pay less, and you rest comfortably knowing that if you become incapacitated, and when you pass away, you have important legal documents in place. Legal documents that direct what you want to happen, to your children, your assets and you.

If you are a parent, whether you are married, divorced, or single, you must consider who will take care of, and provide for your minor children in the event of your incapacity or death. It is important to designate in a Forida Will or Pre-need Guardianship document your choice of who would be your child’s guardian. Better that you make this choice than a judge.

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

August 16, 2011

What is the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid in Florida?

by David M. Goldman

They sound similar. Unfortunately many people do not understand the differences between the two. Most people think Medicare will “care” for them forever but, that is simply not the case.

While Medicare and Medicaid sound similar, they are very different government programs. Medicare provides healthcare benefits for the over 65, blind, and disabled; while Medicaid provides medical benefits for the impoverished.

Medicare is a basically public health insurance for those age 65 and older. Medicare does not pay for long-term care! It will cover some rehabilitation and this is often confused with long-term care.. If a senior citizen has Medicare and is hospitalized for a stay of at least three days, and is then admitted into a skilled nursing facility, Medicare may pay – for a while. But once those Medicare benefits hit 100 consecutive days or the patient stops improving the coverage is over.