Planning Tips from the Alzheimer’s Conference
I had the pleasure of sitting on a panel at The Annual Southeast Florida Alzheimer’s Education Conference on May 15, 2014 at Florida International University. Click here for more information about the SE Florida Alzheimer’s Association. The panel included David Treece, Financial Advisor https://www.treecefinancialgroup.com/, Juan Ceballos an insurance counselor helping Florida consumers with the new Medicaid Managed Care…
DIY Legal Planning? Don’t Try This at Home
The death of a loved one is a life-changing event filled with emotion and can be traumatic. Is there anything that can help ease the pain and promote the healing process? Absolutely – proper advance legal planning can make all the difference. Imagine that someone close to you decided to write their own Last Will…
National Healthcare Decisions Day with Thoughts from Nadine Smith, Executive Director, Equality Florida
National Healthcare Decisions Day Affects Everyone Including the LGBT Community Last night I had the pleasure of listening to and speaking with Nadine Smith the CEO of Equality Florida at the Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale in observance of National Healthcare Decisions Day. Nadine is an inspiring and motivating advocate for all people. She helped…
Planning For After Divorce
Divorce can take its toll on a person’s physical, emotional, mental and financial well-being. Even after the divorce is final, moving forward and starting anew can seem daunting especially when there are minor children of the marriage. While keeping up the daily routines of preparing the family for school, going to work, team sports and household chores, it is easy…
The Law Should Change As Medical Technology Develops
In the past ten to fifteen years medical technology has changed in leaps and bounds. The law has not necessarily kept pace with new technological developments. No clearer example can be found than the inheritance rights of children conceived through in vitro fertilization. More people are conceiving children with medical assistance than ever before, thanks…
Case Note The Demise of the Defense of Marriage Act: Time of Death Still to Be Determined
Published in NAELA Journal By Stephanie L. Schneider, CELA, and Lara Pietrzak On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its written opinion on United States v. Windsor and held that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. While the ruling creates entitlement of same-sex married couples to receive federal…
Stop! Don’t Disinherit Your Spouse Who Needs Long Term Care
STOP! DON’T DISINHERIT YOUR SPOUSE JUST BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE LONG-TERM CARE Today we see more chronic illnesses (i.e. Alzheimer’s disease; Parkinson’s disease; dementia) that are causing people to provide care or seek long-term care services for an incapacitated spouse. Chronic illness can trigger the fear of impoverishment or the fear of outliving one’s money. When…
Federal Rights for LGBTQ Are Advancing
Attorney General Holder announced this week that more federal rights will be available to married same-sex couples (SSC) as a result of the Windsor decision. Watch Attorney General Holder’s inspiring speech. These new rights will include: Services for LGBT survivors of abuse by their partner under the Violence Against Women Act Stronger civil rights protections…
Social Security Disability (SSDI) – Expedite Your Application
How To Obtain Expedited Approval of Your Social Security Disability Application The Social Security Administration (SSA) may take a long time to process applications for disability benefits (SSDI) sometimes upward of one year. The delay puts many people in financial hardship unable to pay their bills and help pay for medical care. In order to…
Deadline Approaching for Gay Married Retired Military to Enroll In Survivor Benefit Plan
Retired and active military are entitled to designate their surviving spouse to receive the pension upon the veteran’s death. This is called the ‘survivor benefit plan.’ This benefit plan provides up to 55% of the veteran’s pension and helps many widows and widowers avoid financial hardship. As a result of the United States Supreme Court’s…