Deerfield Beach Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Elder Law & Probate Lawyers

Estate Planning Service in Deerfield Beach

A good estate plan keeps your family out of a guessing game. It puts your choices on paper, names people you trust, and gives them the authority to act.

The Documents We Prepare

• Last wills and will amendments
• Revocable and irrevocable trusts
• Durable powers of attorney
• Health care surrogate designations and living wills
• HIPAA authorizations
• Beneficiary designation reviews
• Guardian designations for minor children

Plans for Condos, Homes, and Family Property

Many Deerfield Beach residents own a condo or a single-family home as their biggest asset. Florida's homestead rules can limit who may inherit a home when there is a spouse or minor child. Trust planning may also help a condo pass to heirs without a probate case. We look at how title is held and talk through options.

Families With Ties Abroad

If you own property, accounts, or family responsibilities in another country, tell us early. We can plan for the Florida side of your estate, and we'll let you know when a lawyer in another country might also be needed.

Medicaid Planning for Deerfield Beach Seniors

Long-term care costs surprise nearly everyone. Medicare generally doesn't pay for ongoing custodial care. Medicaid can, but only if you meet strict income and asset limits.

What Florida Medicaid Looks At

For 2026, a single applicant can generally keep $2,000 in countable assets, and the monthly income cap is $2,982. Higher income can sometimes be addressed with a Qualified Income Trust. A primary home is often exempt, within a home equity limit. These numbers are adjusted over time, so we double-check them for each client.

The Look-Back Period

Florida reviews five years of financial history when you apply. Gifts and below-market sales in that time can lead to a penalty period. That matters for families who have been helping children or grandchildren with money. A short conversation with an attorney before you give or retitle anything can prevent a long delay later.

Support for the Spouse at Home

If a spouse needs a nursing home, the spouse at home has protections under federal and Florida rules. In 2026, the community spouse can keep up to $162,660 in countable resources, along with the home and, in many cases, a car. We help couples plan so that one spouse's care doesn't leave the other without enough.

Elder Law in Deerfield Beach

Elder law addresses the legal issues that arise with aging. In a city with a large senior population, those questions come up often.

Planning for Incapacity

A power of attorney and a health care surrogate designation allow someone you trust to act on your behalf. Without them, the family may have to go to court to seek guardianship under Chapter 744 of the Florida Statutes. A guardianship is public, can take time, and can be costly. A little planning now can spare your family that process.

Guardianship When It Is Needed

Sometimes a guardianship is the only path, such as when a loved one has dementia and never signed the right documents. We guide families through the process and explain what the court expects.

Care Decisions for Multigenerational Families

In many Deerfield Beach homes, adult children help care for their parents, and sometimes for their grandchildren, too. We help families sort out who has authority, how to pay for care, and how to protect everyone's interests. Relatives who live elsewhere can join our meetings by video.

Probate in Deerfield Beach

Probate is the court process that confirms a will, pays debts and taxes, and transfers property. Florida's probate rules are in Chapter 733 of the Florida Statutes. Because Deerfield Beach is in Broward County, cases are handled through the Broward County court system, which is based in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Types of Probate Cases

Formal administration is for larger or more complex estates and can run from nine months to a year or more. Summary administration is a shorter process for smaller estates. Ancillary administration is for people who lived elsewhere but owned property in Florida, such as a Deerfield Beach condo held by a part-time resident.

What to Do the First Weeks After a Loss

1. Locate the original will. It must be filed with the clerk of court within 10 days of learning of the death.
2. Protect the home, cars, and bank accounts.
3. Keep copies of mail, bills, and statements.
4. Speak with a probate attorney before making large payments or distributions.

Grief makes paperwork harder. We handle the filings and deadlines so you can focus on your family.