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24 September
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How Does a Florida Lady Bird Deed Help With Medicaid Planning?

Author Barry Siegel
in Health Care Planning, Medicaid Planning, Probate
How Does a Florida Lady Bird Deed Help With Medicaid Planning?| Florida Estate and Elder Law Attorney Barry D. Siegel at The Siegel Law Group, P.A

Many people think they have too many assets to qualify for Medicaid assistance to help pay for healthcare, and they pay out-of-pocket for their long-term care until they have sold their home and all their other assets. But with careful Medicaid Planning, you may be able to receive the financial help you need without losing your home. A Florida Lady Bird Deed, also called an Enhanced Life Estate Deed, allows you to avoid probate and pass your property to your loved ones while maintaining eligibility for Medicaid assistance. 4 Benefits Of A Lady Bird Deed A Lady Bird Deed as part of your Estate...

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24 August
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Do I Have to Pay a Florida Inheritance Tax?

Author Barry Siegel
in Estate Planning, Probate
Florida Estate Planning: Do I Have to Pay a Florida Inheritance Tax?

Florida has a reputation for being a tax-friendly state. There is no state income tax and Floridian's Social Security, retirement accounts and pension plan income are all free from taxes. Florida does not have a State estate or inheritance tax. These are two different types of taxes often called death taxes because they are paid after someone dies. Heirs and beneficiaries in Florida do not pay income tax on the money they inherit from an estate, called an estate tax, because inherited property does not count as income for income tax purposes. Someone who does not live in Florida but...

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04 August
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What Is An Advanced Healthcare Directive?

Author Barry Siegel
in Health Care Planning, Power Of Attorney
What Is An Advanced Healthcare Directive? | Florida Estate and Elder Law Attorney Barry D. Siegel at The Siegel Law Group, P.A

Making decisions about your healthcare wishes if you are seriously injured or ill and end-of-life care is difficult for everyone. Whether you are young or old, serious illness or injury can strike at any time. It is not something that anyone looks forward to doing, but making decisions about your healthcare if you are incapacitated and end-of-life wishes is an essential part of any comprehensive Estate Plan. Talking through your Advanced Healthcare Directive options with an Estate Planning Attorney can help to determine what steps you can take to plan for these possibilities, communicate your wishes and protect your family...

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23 July
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Alex Trebek Is Defining His Legacy: How An Estate Plan Defines Your Legacy

Author Barry Siegel
in Estate Planning
Alex Trebek Is Defining His Legacy: How An Estate Plan Defines Your Legacy | Florida Estate and Elder Law Attorney Barry D. Siegel at The Siegel Law Group, P.A

Alex Trebek, the famous host of TV game show Jeopardy!, recently announced that he will suspend further pancreatic cancer treatment if this round is unsuccessful. Trebek's new memoir, The Answer Is … Reflections on My Life was released on Tuesday. By writing the book, Trebek says he is able to define his own legacy. Part of his legacy is that all money he receives for the book will be donated to charity. How An Estate Plan Defines Your Legacy It isn't necessary to write a book to define your legacy. Creating an Estate Plan defines your legacy by making important end-of-life decisions...

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14 July
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Free Estate Planning for Local 1st Responders & Healthcare Workers

Author Barry Siegel
in Estate Planning
Free to 1st Responders & Healthcare Workers Health Care Surrogate Designation and Living Will document preparation

As the global COVID issues continue to impact us here in South Florida, the Siegel Law Group in Boca Raton Florida is proud to provide essential Estate Planning documents free of charge to our community's healthcare workers and first responders. We are offering Health Care Surrogate Designation and Living Will preparation for free to local healthcare workers and 1st responders on the frontlines responding to the coronavirus crisis. Our community's essential workers safeguard us throughout this unprecedented crisis and our Estate Planning legal team wants to protect your family's future. The best time to secure your family’s future is now. We can...

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14 July
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FAQs: Is It Better to Have A Trust Or A Will?

Author Barry Siegel
in Estate Planning, Probate, Wills and Trusts
FAQs: Is It Better to Have A Trust Or A Will? | Florida Estate and Elder Law Attorney Barry D. Siegel at The Siegel Law Group, P.A

Estate Planning options and jargon can be confusing. So how do you know the best way to transfer your property to your loved ones after you pass away? Many people will argue that a Will is the best method; while others recommend a Trust. In many cases, someone will have both a Will and a Trust. There are benefits and drawbacks to each. Your decision on whether it's better to have a Trust or a Will should take into consideration your personal concerns and priorities, as well as the nature of your estate and beneficiaries. First, let’s look at how Wills and...

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15 June
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This Father’s Day, Gift Your Children Peace of Mind

Author Barry Siegel
in Estate Planning, Probate
Father and 2 Children: This Father's Day, Gift Your Children Peace of Mind | Florida Estate and Elder Law Attorney Barry D. Siegel at The Siegel Law Group, P.A

Father's Day falls on Sunday, June 21. Traditionally, children give their dad a gift on Father's Day to show they love them. This year, for Father's Day give your children the gift of peace of mind and protection. Planning for your end-of-life can be uncomfortable and even frightening, which may explain why nearly 60% of Americans don’t have a Will or Trust. There are many reasons adults don't have a will, including: • They're too young to have a Will or Trust • They don't have enough money and assets to need a Will or Trust • It's too expensive to create a Will...

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18 March
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The Siegel Law Group Named 2019 Law Firm 500 Honoree

Author Barry Siegel
in Firm News
The Siegel Law Group Named 2019 Law Firm 500 Honoree

Celebrating Three Years of Continued Growth We are proud to announce that Siegal Law Group, P.A., has been named a 2019 Law Firm 500 Honoree, a distinction exclusively awarded to the Fastest Growing Law Firms in the U.S. The Siegel team’s devotion to professional excellence and quality client service each day helped us achieve 72% growth in 2019, earning us recognition by Law Firm 500 as the #68 fastest growing law firm in the country. Siegel Law Group is dedicated to providing excellence in South Florida Estate Planning and Elder Law Representation, and are proud of our commitment to our clients. This marks our third year in a row...

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18 February
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When Should I Change My Power of Attorney

Author Barry Siegel
in Estate Planning, Power Of Attorney
power of attorney

Power of Attorney is one of the most important tools in your estate plan. When you designate someone to have Power of Attorney, you grant them legal control to make decisions on your behalf, when you are unable to make those decisions. The person who you name as your power of attorney has an overriding legal obligation (known as a fiduciary duty) to make decisions that are in your best interests. This is not the same as “medical power of attorney,” which would be more in line with your medical needs and decisions at that time. Reasons to Change My Power...

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22 January
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The What, Who, and How of Undue Influence (And How To Protect Yourself)

Author Barry Siegel
in Estate Planning, Probate
Image of a senior person's hands symbolizing vulnerability to undue influence

Most will be familiar with the names of at least one of these famous people: Groucho Marx, (movie actor, comedian) Pauly Shore (movie actor, comedian) and Stan Lee (founder of Marvel Comics and creator of Spider-Man).  Why do I mention them and what do they have in common?  They’ve all been involved in legal proceedings involving a claim of undue influence. So what is undue influence and how can it impact us and our loved ones? Let’s have a look.  What Does Undue Influence Look Like? When it comes to our personal estates, we plan carefully to ensure our families are provided for after we’re...

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