Covers legal issues affecting older adults and their families, including estate planning, wills and trusts, powers of attorney, guardianship and conservatorship, and long-term care planning. Also addresses Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid, retirement benefits, elder abuse and fraud, housing options, and end-of-life decisions.
A Florida power of attorney (POA) can only be granted by the elderly parent while they still have capacity—siblings cannot “vote” to create one after capacity is lost. When brothers and sisters disagree about finances or caregiving, the safest path is a properly executed Florida durable POA plus clear records and checks-and-balances. This article explains […]
Adding an adult child to a Florida bank account can trigger a Medicaid transfer penalty if it’s treated as a gift—even when no money moves. Florida Medicaid’s five-year “look-back” reviews certain account changes for less-than-fair-market-value transfers. This article explains the safest legal options, documentation, and Florida-specific Medicaid rules to help families avoid preventable penalties. Families […]
In Florida, a valid power of attorney can let a trusted agent step in immediately to manage finances, but when exploitation is occurring or capacity is gone, guardianship is often the only court-enforceable solution. Dementia increases vulnerability to scams, undue influence, and “new friend” financial abuse—especially when banks or family members dispute authority. This article […]
In Florida, you can often transfer a home to an adult child without triggering Medicaid estate recovery by using an exempt transfer (for example, to a caregiver child) or by keeping the home out of your probate estate (such as through an enhanced life estate/Lady Bird deed). Florida’s Medicaid Estate Recovery Program generally targets assets […]
In California, a valid power of attorney generally requires the principal’s mental capacity at the time of signing and proper execution under Probate Code requirements. When a parent has dementia, the window to sign may close quickly, and families may need conservatorship if capacity is already lost. This article explains step-by-step how to get a […]
Gray divorce—divorce after age 50—now accounts for roughly 1 in 3 divorces in the U.S. As more couples split near or in retirement, the financial fallout can be immediate, especially when Social Security and survivor benefits change based on marital history and timing. This article explains how retirement-age divorces affect Social Security eligibility, benefit calculations, […]
