Blog: Elder Law

Florida Designation of Healthcare Surrogate Law You may know that this document allows you to name a trusted person to make your healthcare decisions if you are temporarily or permanently incapacitated and unable to give informed medical consent. It allows your medical decisions to be made privately without court involvement. Now you have the following…

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…

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…

You have seen in my blogs and articles I always say, “Do not sign a nursing home admission agreement that makes you the ‘responsible party’.” That language creates a legal obligation to financially pay for the care if the resident does not pay the facility. If a person other than the resident is signing the admission…

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FOR 2014 2013 introduced significant legal and social developments in our country such as: the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Windsor resulting in federal rights being available to married same sex couples individuals delaying their retirement age due to increased life expectancies, weakened retirement systems and poor financial planning and states like…

My father, Howard Schneider, died on November 16, 2013.  When I graduated law school my father told me that the experience would serve me well and he was right. My father’s legacy is his work ethic, the importance of one’s character and credibility, and the bravery he exhibited living with Parkinson’s. I am grateful for his legacy as it…

Ever since the United States economy tanked in 2008, along with the downturn in the Florida real estate market, I’ve observed that a lot of people became frozen by the fear of not having enough money and delayed seeking elder law advice to resolve important legal issues. Many families found themselves in a legal crisis.…

Choosing A Healthcare Fiduciary Now that you are motivated to have legal documents prepared to designate a medical decision-maker in the event of your incapacity you might find yourself asking “whom should I name?”  This question is not uncommon especially for people who: are not married or are divorced or whose spouse is deceased or…

I just returned from three great days at Disney World with my daughter. It’s great to be a kid and see the world through a child’s eyes – ah the wonder and joy.  Have you ever noticed how almost every Disney movie begins with something tragic happening but ends happily ever after? If real life…

Premium content from South Florida Business Journal – by Jeff Zbar Debra Giblin-Davis, worked with attorney Stephanie L. Schneider, left, to make plans that would protect her son, who has multiple sclerosis. Debra and Robin Giblin-Davis were traveling several years ago when they had an epiphany. Both were in their 50s. Sean, the youngest of…