tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91842196454455259602008-06-27T10:52:27.201-07:00Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-29670109834006565212008-06-26T13:25:00.000-07:002008-06-27T10:52:27.256-07:00

On Tuesday, June 17, we attended the Palm Beach Memory Walk 2008 Awards Breakfast in West Palm Beach. We received the exciting news that the Walk exceeded its goal of raising $100,000 by raising $120,000. Our team was recognized for second place in the category of Top Fundraising Team. The team that took first place better watch out… we have big plans for next year’s competition! We are proud to

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-86942078701444266572008-06-23T13:23:00.000-07:002008-06-23T13:23:01.085-07:00

On June 13, I spoke twice at the 10th Anniversary Family Cafe Conference in Orlando, FL. This was the first time I attended this amazing statewide conference designed to meet the informational and networking needs of individuals with disabilities or special health care needs and their families. I can attest that this event provides a truly unique environment, where Floridians can attend

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-25799738770543279472008-06-20T13:15:00.000-07:002008-06-20T13:16:53.939-07:00

On May 28, I attended an Aging Policy Forum for aging network leaders conducted by The Florida Association of Aging Services Providers, through funding from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. The purpose of the Forum was to identify key topics and share insights, expertise and experiences on emerging aging-related issues. Strategies for communication and collaboration on advocacy on behalf

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-58882246357415147532008-06-16T13:45:00.001-07:002008-06-16T13:46:46.998-07:00

Coping with Dementia. Rosemary De Cuir. Trafford Publishing. 2007. 182 pages. Available at Amazon.com Having a family member with dementia is extremely stressful and presents unique caregiving challenges. Coping with Dementia is designed to help families of individuals with dementia understand what is happening and transition from primary caregivers to advocates. Written by Rosemary De Cuir,

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-42330018422343734322008-06-12T11:43:00.000-07:002008-06-12T11:49:53.898-07:00

Lately, we've been seeing a lot of clients worried about getting the pension they earned. Coincidentally, we've come across an article that offers some advice on five pension counseling projects, funded through the U. S. Administration on Aging and serving plan participants and their beneficiaries in 22 states that can help! Click here to see if it offers you some assistance. If you have any

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-44160696510063533282008-06-05T14:07:00.000-07:002008-06-05T14:14:58.840-07:00

Mark Glasser and Suzanne Matthews waged one of the most acrimonious custody battles in recent history, reportedly running up a legal tab well into the millions. But they were not a divorced couple fighting over children, as one might assume. Rather, they are brother and sister who fought over the guardianship of their mother and control of her $25 million fortune. Click here for the back story, "

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-84563578322566951242008-06-02T13:55:00.000-07:002008-06-03T13:57:51.774-07:00

As a Florida elder law attorney, I see too many people in the unenviable position of primary caregiver for an ailing parent or other family member. The stress placed on the caregiver often touches all aspects of his or her life, including personal relationships, financial security, and health, sometimes leaving lasting bruises. Click to read an insightful article about the importance of taking

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-16252278786318479912008-05-29T20:09:00.000-07:002008-05-29T20:13:35.867-07:00

In today's world, seniors or their heirs may be faced with litigation or may opt to pursue a litigation matter. A recent case which partner Ellen S. Morris handled successfully involved defeating a lawsuit for return of inheritance against a senior filed by her step-children. The result was that the senior was able to keep her inheritance. On the flip side, in another recent case, Ellen

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-14786635856590119622008-05-22T19:23:00.000-07:002008-05-22T19:26:46.841-07:00

Many of our Florida elder law clients have come to us with a request: "I should transfer my home to my children to get it out of my name." This is not true. The many problems to this approach include creating unnecessary gift and capital gains taxes and losing the legal right to live in your home. Fortunately, there are better ways to transfer your home to your children that avoid these

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-54716858832437363762008-05-19T13:43:00.000-07:002008-05-19T13:47:20.271-07:00

Many people believe that their power of attorney has the power to transfer assets out of their name in order to qualify them for Medicaid. What many don't know, is that there are many different types of powers of attorney. You will be able to protect your assets only if you have the proper power of attorney. In order to have the power to transfer your assets for tax and long-term care purposes,

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-15871087523374720002008-05-13T12:48:00.000-07:002008-05-13T12:53:16.592-07:00

The second myth I'd like to de-bunk is about Medicaid and your assets. I often hear from clients that they believe something like the following: "Once I enter a nursing home as a private pay resident, I must use up all of my assets before I can qualify for Medicaid." This is not true. Although it is better to begin Medicaid planning earlier (in Florida, Medicaid planning is essential and

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-35487991337087636702008-05-09T11:26:00.000-07:002008-05-09T11:39:26.459-07:00

Long term care is often a painful necessity for most of us. And paying for long term-care is not easy. Most people would not choose to live in a nursing home; however, sometimes it is unavoidable. The average monthly cost of nursing homes in our area exceeds $6,500. Assisted Living and home care are also very expensive. Over the next few weeks, though, I will share a few common misconceptions

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-7089624486431219092008-05-07T09:26:00.000-07:002008-05-07T09:29:20.220-07:00

The 2008 Regular Session of the Florida Legislature recently adjourned. Ellen Morris, Legislative Chair of The Florida Bar's Elder Law Section and Howard Krooks, member of the Joint Public Policy Task Force of the Florida Bar Elder Law Section and AFELA are pleased to share with you the following breaking news from the Session. It is anticipated that, effective July 1, 2008, 14,000 slots for

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-58876525090289531762008-04-29T14:03:00.000-07:002008-04-30T14:07:51.477-07:00

Partner Ellen S. Morris recently published an article entitled Planning for the Disabled and Elderly: Special Needs Trusts in the Spring 2008 edition of Advocate - a publication of the South Palm Beach County Bar Association. The article explores how the use of a special needs trust can be an excellent means to care for and protect the elderly and the handicapped. Click here to read the entire

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-10753428340742377802008-04-24T12:20:00.000-07:002008-04-29T12:23:30.610-07:00

I have the distinct pleasure of having been named as the Program Chair of the New York State Bar Association's Elder Law Section Summer Meeting in Baltimore, MD on August 14-17, 2008. The program is Co-sponsored by the Maryland Bar Elder Law Section. I look forward to seeing many of you there! (Click here for more information on the meeting.) -- Howard Krooks, JD, CELA

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-75887479701123731832008-04-21T09:04:00.000-07:002008-04-29T12:24:10.235-07:00

I will be speaking not once, but twice at the 10th Anniversary Family Cafe Conference, June 13-15, 2008 in Orlando, FL. Topics include "Working With the Personal Injury/Medical Malpractice Attorney to Establish a Special Needs Trust or Other Tools for Protecting a Settlement" and "The Impact of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 on Florida’s Elderly and People with Disabilities." For more on the

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-71399972291037074102008-04-17T07:49:00.000-07:002008-04-17T07:54:25.488-07:00

I will be attending the NAELA Board of Directors meeting on May 13, 2008 and presenting at the NAELA Symposium: Ka 'Ohana NAELA: Celebrating our Past, Visioning our Future, May 14-18, 2008 in Maui, Hawaii. I will be in a panel presentation on "DRA Implementation - The Practitioner's Response." Practitioners from five states (including me, from Florida) that have implemented the DRA will explain

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-63140914438577514442008-04-14T18:01:00.000-07:002008-04-14T18:06:27.872-07:00

As promised, here's the second part of the interview on Elder Law from WINK radio. This piece focuses on special needs planning. Click here to listen to part II of the interview. Again, if you have any questions on any part of the interview, or just have any questions at all on elder law, long-term care, special needs planning or medicaid planning, feel free to use our handy contact form: http:

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-87531638750673586292008-04-10T13:15:00.000-07:002008-04-10T13:17:46.507-07:00

I am honored to announce that I will be presenting a continuing education course on April 28-30, 2008. The course is titled ElderCounsel Programming: Tools, Techniques and Strategies to Build a Successful Elder Law Practice, to be presented at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas in Scottsdale, AZ. To register call 888.659.4069 x 823 or email registration@wealthounsel.com. (I am presenting with

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-27128227328712709602008-04-07T18:33:00.000-07:002008-04-07T18:39:43.228-07:00

We've just been sent the audio file of the first part of my radio interview on WINK regarding Elder Law in Florida. This clip runs about 11 minutes and deals with long term care, an issue that's a particularly sensitive one, and one most of us will have to deal with at some point. Click here to listen to Part I of the interview. As always, if you have any questions about anything said during

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-10711918551887712282008-03-30T19:27:00.000-07:002008-03-31T17:51:45.604-07:00

Recently, on behalf of the Joint Task Force of The Florida Bar Elder Law Section and the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys, I submitted an Amicus Brief to the 4th District Court of Appeals in Palm Beach County on the issue of the validity of personal service contracts in Medicaid planning. The appeal is ongoing. An amicus brief refers to someone who volunteers to offer information on a

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-52502542704751424862008-03-30T19:16:00.000-07:002008-03-31T17:53:11.716-07:00

Those of you in the Ft. Myers, Florida area may have heard me on WINK 1240/1270, where I was a guest this past Saturday morning (March 29) on the one-hour weekly radio show, Retiring With Health & Wealth. The focus of the discussion was on long term care -- of course, I felt I had a lot to offer. I am hoping to have the audio file available for download soon. -- Howard Krooks, JD, CELA

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-40088563928694505702008-03-18T13:26:00.000-07:002008-03-25T13:37:09.609-07:00

Will you be in New York on April 1? Do you need CLE credits? I will be presenting with Bernard A. Krooks on "Medicaid Update; recent cases and fiar hearing decisions; post DRA planning opportunities." It's approved for (2) CLE credits toward Professional Practice, and it's of interest to all elder law attorneys. Co-sponsored by Sunrise Senior Living at Mill Basin and Sunrise Senior Living at

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-54094820492154657342008-03-10T17:56:00.000-07:002008-03-31T18:00:35.144-07:00

We did it! We surpassed our team goal for the Alzheimer's Association Southeast Florida Chapter Memory Walk, which was on March 8th in West Palm Beach. Thanks to wide-spread support, we raised $5,320, making us the second highest fundraising team! Our Memory Walk Team: (from left to right) Probate Paralegal Patricia McDaniel and her daughter, Office Manager Judith Miller and her son, Partner

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184219645445525960.post-80480706202276265032008-02-18T13:32:00.000-08:002008-03-31T17:54:50.064-07:00

Yesterday, in their Family Finance column, Newsday published a Q&A on elder law entitled "Keeping home for their father." Not only is it of interest for Floridians, but it even contains a quote by yours sincerely, Howard Krooks. Click here to view the article online. Remember, if you have any questions on Florida elder law, be it on medicaid planning, guardianships, or what have you, I will be

Noah Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14477431046756270810noreply@blogger.com