Reading Of The Will

In Hollywood, when someone dies, there is a somber meeting, at a lawyer’s office, around a big traditional conference table in a plushy decorated conference room. The heirs eagerly wait to hear what they may have inherited. The scene often includes angry family members just to create more drama.

But that only happens in the movies.  I’m not aware of this occurring anymore, at least not in South Florida.  I’ve never done it in my firm.  One’s attorney determines who should get a copy of the will, and is required to file the original with the clerk of the courts within 10 days of death.

So what really happens?  The personal representative (executor) retains an attorney and together they determine who the beneficiaries are, collect the necessary documents   and ascertain if a probate estate needs to be opened in court.  The trustee (if there is a trust involved in the estate) may also be included in this discussion. 

Our firm works to settle estates as quickly as possible.  We gather all the information about the assets, acquire death certificates and contact the heirs named, providing them copies of the documents and outlining how the process will work.  Depending on the complexities, it should all be wrapped up within 6 months.

So, just because you see it on the big screen, doesn’t make it a reality. We don’t want drama in our offices, or for our clients. Therefore, you won’t see us conducting a “reading of the will” any time soon.  You will, however, see an estate settled swiftly, skillfully, and with compassion.

To learn more about Estate Planning, including Wills, Trusts and Probates, as well as the Elder Care services that we provide under the Elder Law Umbrella, call The Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld and Associates
at 954.726.6602 or visit www.florida-elderlaw.com

And additional links that offer other useful information FREE, brought to you by The Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld and Associates:

www.southfloridamemorylawyer.com

www.medicaidcrisislawyers.com/reiterfeld

www.learnvabenefits.com/reiterfeld

www.estateandlonglifeplan.com/reiterfeld

Our efforts to help folks cope with Alzheimer's & Dementia

To gain access to our FREE Alzheimer's caregivers' Support Online Resource center, visit: www.southfloridamemorylawyer.com

So, How Are My Parents Doing?

Because I write about my family from time to time, people ask for an update so here it is!

My father recently turned 90, my mother will be 89 in June and they are married 65 years.  That’s the good news.

The bad news is that because of their advanced age, they continue to experience the incapacities most of us are used to seeing.  Both suffer from some physical incapacity and myriad of illnesses and my mom has a little mild cognitive impairment.   Being in the business is both a blessing and a curse because I have access to information and resouces, which is good, but I know too much, which is bad.

They have a full time aide and are still able to get out for meals.  They have help with their finances and I am regularly in touch with their primary care physician to get updates and ask questions.

I see my parents once a week, for breakfast, at the PI Bagel in Davie.  This tradition has been going on so long that we are often joined by friends and family members.  The visits are not too long, Mom doesn’t fret about entertaining, and they get to see family and friends.  What was once just a simple breakfast is now the perfect way for family and friends to have brief but frequent visits.  It’s a win/win situation and something I recommend others adopt in some form.

So if you want to join us, just let me know!  My father is a pip and you’ll get some really bad jokes to take back to the office!  Thanks for listening

Protect Your Identity! Safety Tips for Seniors.

Our office is always seeking new ways to get information out on how to seniors can live better lives. Safety is one topic that needs reminding occasionally. There are several ways criminals try to exploit seniors. One of the most common ways is by stealing your identity. Her are some tips on how to minimize your chances of falling victim to the unscrupulous.

• Use a shredder to destroy any important papers that you wish to dispose of.
• Don’t put outgoing mail in an unsecured mailbox.
• Don’t carry too many credit cards.
• Don’t share personal information on the phone or internet with anyone that you don’t know.
• Use virus software protection and enable firewall settings on your computer.
• Review your credit report annually-report any errors or questionable entries.

If you suspect that you or a senior you know has been exploited, below are some resources:

• Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-96-ABUSE
• Florida Elder Help Line: 1-900-963-5337
• Elder Consumer Protection Program: Elder Consumer Protection Program
• National Center on Elder Abuse: http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/
• Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys

Alice's Suggested Additions to the Above:

• Never give out your Social Security Number to someone you don’t know.
• Never give out your Medicaid ID Number to someone you don’t know.

For more information on issues affecting the seniors in your family, including how to report senior abuse, to learn more about this and other topics, as well as the Elder Care services that we provide under “The Elder Law Umbrella”, call The Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld and Associates
at 954.726.6602 or visit www.florida-elderlaw.com

And additional links that offer other useful information FREE, brought to you by The Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld and Associates:

http://www.southfloridamemorylawyer.com/

www.medicaidcrisislawyers.com/reiterfeld

www.learnvabenefits.com/reiterfeld

www.estateandlonglifeplan.com/reiterfeld

South Florida Elder Law Attorney Blog: Wednesday, June 15th marks the 6th Annual World El...

South Florida Elder Law Attorney Blog: Wednesday, June 15th marks the 6th Annual World El...: "Wednesday, June 15th marks the 6th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The mission of this special day is to raise awareness of the cult..."

Wednesday, June 15th marks the 6th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Wednesday, June 15th marks the 6th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The mission of this special day is to raise awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

Elder abuse, like other forms of violence, is never an acceptable response to any problem or situation. Early intervention and education are the keys to preventing elder abuse. Anyone can fight elder abuse by:

1. Calling or visiting an elderly loved one and ask how he or she is doing
2. Providing a respite break for a caregiver
3. Asking your bank manager to train tellers on how to detect elder financial abuse
4. Speaking to community advocates about the problem.
5. Learning the warning signs of abuse - visit http://www.centeronelderabuse.org/.
6. IF YOU KNOW OR SUSPECT THAT A VULNERABLE ADULT HAS BEEN OR IS BEING ABUSED, NEGLECTED AND/OR EXPLOITED IMMEDIATELY REPORT THE INFORMATION TO THE ABUSE HOTLINE: 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873).

Thank you for helping to keep our seniors safe!

Betty Ford

Former First Lady Betty Ford recently celebrated her 93rd birthday.  Most of us associate her with the alcohol and substance abuse recovery treatment center she created. But she was and is much more.

Her public battle with breast cancer encouraged hundreds of thousands of women to have a mammography, saving countless lives. And her in-depth study of addiction issues pointed her to women with AIDS, whose unique problems led to substance abuse; and to her testifying before Congress in favor of health care coverage.  

As a young woman, Mrs. Ford made regular visits to hospitals for disabled children and first witnessed the potential for rehabilitation.  

We thank her for her groundbreaking efforts and wish the former First Lady continued health and happiness.

To learn more about this and other topics, as well as the Elder Care services that we provide under
"The Elder Law Umbrella", call The Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld and Associates at 954.726.6602 or visit http://www.florida-elderlaw.com/

And additional links that offer other useful information FREE, brought to you by The Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld and Associates:

www.medicaidcrisislawyers.com/reiterfeld

www.learnvabenefits.com/reiterfeld

www.estateandlonglifeplan.com/reiterfeld

Sincerely, 

Alice Reiter Feld