Relationship-based estate planning, probate, and elder law firm located on the west coast of Florida.
Our mission is to provide compassionate legal counseling in a warm, relaxed atmosphere to families planning for disability and death. We want our clients to leave our offices feeling good about the invaluable gift they've given their loved ones by purposefully planning ahead for bad times. Because nothing says "I love you" more truthfully than lightening the burden for those we leave behind. Here
at Manasota Elder Law, our estate planning law firm is all about helping protect what matters...your family. SW Florida relationship-based estate planning, elder law, and probate law firm.
Operating as usual
When There’s No One You Trust to Serve
What if there's no one you trust enough to name as your personal representative, trustee, or agent on your estate planning documents?
The Importance of Risk Protection Planning
In this video, Cindy discusses how risk protection planning, financial planning, and estate planning are all tied together.
If It’s Important Enough to Start, It’s Important Enough to Finish
If your family's important enough to you that you're willing to start the estate planning process, it's important enough to finish that process.
Safe Deposit Box Problems
In this video, Cindy discusses the problems safe deposit boxes can cause when you die.
Stealing a Will is a Felony in Florida
If someone steals your Will or Trust, report it to the police immediately. This is a serious crime, not just a family squabble.
Selling Real Estate Held in a Trust
In this video, Cindy discusses the logistics of selling real estate held in a revocable living trust.
Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease and How to Address Them
Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder that affects the brain cells that produce dopamine—a chemical messenger in the brain which helps control movement. When the brain cannot produce enough…
ATF eForm 4 is Back!
At the end of December 2021, the ATF re-released its eForm 4 for the transfer of NFA firearms, which should speed up the approval process.
Banking Roadblocks with Trusts
In this video, Cindy discusses the some of the roadblocks some banks put in your way when you're trying to fund your revocable living trust.
This happens far too often, and it's a miracle the police were able to recover anything for this gentleman. You will NEVER have to pay anything upfront if you truly win a legitimate lottery or contest.
An elderly Florida man who thought he had won a lottery jackpot sent over $100,000 to scammers who claimed they needed fees and taxes up front.
What Happens to My Cars at Death?
One of the most common questions I get is "What happens to my cars when I die?" The real answer is "It depends."
Your Estate Planning Attorney is not a Family Counselor
Neither your estate planning attorney nor your estate planning documents can solve a dysfunctional family's problems.
What If I Die with Assets Outside the U.S.?
In this video, Cindy discusses the potential problems with dying with assets in another country. Other articles/videos you may find interesting: Get a Damn Prenup!! 4 Myths About Wills Ready to make sure everything’s in order for your loved ones in the event you become incapacitated or die? Give M...
Don’t do this. It’s illegal and just plain awful.
New Hampshire woman allegedly kept mother's corpse for months while Social Security payments continued
https://www.foxnews.com/us/new-hampshire-woman-mother-corpse-social-security
Kimberly K. Heller, 54, was arrested in Bedford, New Hampshire, and charged with abuse of a corpse after allegedly keeping her mother's corpse inside her home for nearly six months.
Don’t Lose Your Original Will!
If no original Will can be located, then a probate proceeds as if the deceased person had no Will, which may lead to unintended consequences.
Why Do I Need a Will if I Have a Trust?
In this video, Cindy answers why a Will is needed even if you have a revocable living trust.
So You’re Named as a Beneficiary. Now What?
Naming a beneficiary may seem easy, but if you truly want to make things go as smoothly as possible for your loved ones, use your trust.
Proactively Planning for Long-Term Care
No one wants to think about needing long-term care. But, as in most things in life, proactive planning generally costs less than crisis reaction.
Veterans from all eras are reacting to the events in Afghanistan, such as the U.S withdrawal and the takeover by the Taliban.
You are not alone.
Veterans may question the meaning of their service or whether it was worth the sacrifices they made. They may feel more moral distress about experiences they had during their service. It’s normal to feel this way.
Read the article to learn more about the resources available to help veterans cope with the situation.
Afghanistan: Let's Talk About It U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs sent this bulletin at 08/16/2021 05:57 PM EDT Veterans from all eras are reacting to the events in Afghanistan, such as the U.S withdrawal and the takeover by the Taliban. You are not alone. Veterans may question the meaning of the...
Good information.
When a Social Security recipient dies, the benefits for that person end. However, there are cases when survivors are eligible for payments.
The Importance of Legal Names
In this video, Cindy discusses why it's important to make sure you have the correct legal names for everyone mentioned in your estate planning documents.
Technology to Assist Caregivers
Technology such as this mentioned in the article may help alleviate some of the stress of caring for a dementia patient in some situations.
Joint Account Warning … Again
In this video, Cindy discusses ... again ... why joint ownership on bank accounts, investment accounts, real estate, etc., are generally not a good idea and should never be done merely for "convenience".
The Horrors of Homestead at Death
Did you know that your Florida homestead could be a problem when you die? Yet it's pretty easy to avoid this (usually) unnecessary hassle and expense.
Using a Standby Minors’ Trust
In this video, Cindy discusses what a standby minors' trust is and how it works.
![I love articles like this. “She is a miracle and a blessing and I wouldn’t have her any other way,” [Jessica's mother] C...](https://img3.juridipedia.com/098/379/4123863370983790.jpg)
I love articles like this. “She is a miracle and a blessing and I wouldn’t have her any other way,” [Jessica's mother] Caldwell posted on Facebook. “Good job, God!”
Born prematurely with the odds stacked against her, this 22-year-old woman has since defied her diagnoses of Down ...
Guns and Dementia: A Difficult Topic
Guns are such a difficult topic for families dealing with dementia - it can be even more contentious than taking away someone's car keys.
“Protecting” Assets Means Giving Them Away
Medicaid pre-planning - you can protect your assets from the government by giving them away legally at least five years before needing Medicaid.
This is an interesting constitutional question - how far does the fundamental right to privacy go, and will governments be able to prove that the mask mandates furthered a "compelling state interest in the least restrictive way"?
The judge said in the ruling: “The right to be let alone by government does exist in Florida, as part of a right of privacy that [Florida’s Supreme Court has declared to be fundamental. … [The Supreme Court] has construed this fundamental right to be so broad as to include the complete freedom of a person to control his own body,” the ruling added (pdf). “Under this construction, a person reasonably can expect not to be forced by the government to put something on his own face against his will. Florida’s constitutional right to privacy, then, necessarily is implicated by the nature of the county’s mask mandate.”
Keep in mind that this ruling applies only to government intrusion on our rights, not private businesses'.
A Florida state appeals court overturned a ruling last year that allowed Alachua County to implement a mask requirement ...
Your Estate Plan is Your Decision, Not Your Lawyer’s
As long as you have the mental capacity to understand and the ability to make a rational decision, YOU must decide what you're going to hire an attorney to do for you.
Your monthly newsletter from Manasota Elder Law - https://mailchi.mp/cdd76630b67e/your-monthly-newsletter-from-manasota-elder-law
Get a Damn Prenup!!
In this video, Cindy discusses why everyone who remarries after death or divorce should have a prenup for estate planning reasons.
677 N. Washington Blvd.
Sarasota, FL
34236
| Monday | 9am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 5pm |
| Friday | 9am - 12:30pm |
Wills, Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Health Care Surrogates, Gun Trusts, Pet Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, Probate, Trust Administration, Long-term Care/Medicaid Planning, Asset Protection Planning
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You work hard and play hard. Maybe you’ve given your blood, sweat, and tears to build a business that’s finally providing some financial security. You love your family and care about what will happen to them when you’re not around.
You’re willing to take responsibility for what will happen to you, your family, your business, and your prized possessions when you die or become incapacitated.
You know that a legacy is about more than just leaving “stuff” to people…it’s about passing on your story and your values.
But things like wills, trusts, probate, and Medicaid are confusing. And anything to do with taxes or long-term care can be just plain scary.
For most people, thinking about death, taxes, disability, and incapacity is about as enjoyable as getting a colonoscopy.
Sometimes, working with lawyers isn’t much fun either. They might use legal words you don’t understand, or perhaps the meetings feel rushed and impersonal. Maybe they don’t listen to what you’re saying and just tell you what they think you need. Or maybe they bill you for every email and phone call, and then seem to disappear after all the paperwork is signed and the check is cashed.
At Manasota Elder Law, we focus on you.
James G. Martin Immigration, PA
240 N Washington BlvdBoyer & Boyer, P.A. - Elder Law Attorneys
46 N Washington Blvd, Ste 21Law Office of Lisa J. Kleinberg, P.A.
1990 Main Street. Suite 725
Boyer & Boyer, P.A. - Elder Law Attorneys
46 N Washington Blvd, Ste 21
Kirk-Pinkerton, Attorneys At Law
240 S Pineapple Ave
Freedom Rings Document Preparation Services
3003 S Tamiami Trl
Marc J. Soss, Esquire. - Sarasota Estate Plan
2070 Ringling Blvd