Probate and Guardianship
Probate is the legal process required to prove the validity of a will and the fulfillment of a deceased's documented wishes for their assets. Florida has a complex set of rules that governs probate requirements. An elder law attorney will structure your estate to make probate as streamlined as possible and can act as your personal representative after your death.
Guardianship occurs when decision-making for an individual is involuntarily designated to another party because they are deemed incapable of making decisions for themselves. Some avoid guardianship by working with an elder law attorney to prepare a clear power of attorney, which allows the individual to designate the decision-maker of their choosing.
An elder law attorney will work with you to determine if seeking guardianship would benefit a loved one—for example, if the person making decisions on behalf of the elder does not have their best interests in mind.
Do All Boca Raton Elder Law Attorneys Help With Medicaid Planning?
No. While many law firms in Florida advertise Medicaid planning services, few are experts in the field. Medicaid is a complicated program with both state and federal requirements.
A trustworthy Medicaid planning attorney must monitor changes in both state and federal laws and regulations and be attuned to the strategic decisions required when planning for Medicaid eligibility. Be sure to ask probing questions to determine if a lawyer is genuinely experienced in Medicaid planning.
When Should I Start Working With a Boca-Delray Area Elder Law Attorney?
It is best to engage an elder law attorney before you require Medicaid, an advanced directive, and power of attorney before you face complicated medical issues.
While there is no single age that makes sense for each individual, consider scheduling a consultation with an elder law attorney by age 65. Contact a Boca Raton, Florida, elder law attorney before age begins to affect your daily life.
Finding The Best Boca Raton Elder Law Attorney For You
It is important to find an elder law lawyer who understands the unique issues you or your aging loved one is facing before coming up with estate planning strategies.
Because of the complicated Medicaid eligibility and probate laws in Florida, it is crucial to find an attorney focused on elder law rather than a general estate planning attorney. This law firm will give your elder law matter the attention it needs.
A skilled elder law attorney serving Boca Raton, FL will help you or your loved one prepare the legal documentation that ensures they have the health insurance they need, their estate is in order, and that they have made critical decisions about the end of their life.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation at one of our law offices.