West Palm Beach Elder Law Attorney Caring for an aging parent is hard. The legal side doesn't have to be.

When a loved one passes, the last thing your family needs is confusion about what comes next. At LEEP LAW GROUP, we cut through the complexity and give you a clear path, a realistic timeline, and a straightforward cost picture from day one. We'll walk you through exactly what to expect and what it will cost. No pressure, no surprises. Take Your Next Step

Elder Law Attorney for West Palm Beach

One Coordinated Plan for Care, Incapacity & Asset Protection

Elder law questions rarely arrive on a convenient schedule. A parent’s diagnosis, a sudden move to assisted living, or the discovery that no power of attorney exists can push families into urgent legal territory with little time to prepare. At LEEP LAW GROUP, we help West Palm Beach seniors and their families navigate these moments with clarity and a plan tailored to their lives.

Our founding partners, Tara Wood and Christine Schafer, bring over two decades of combined experience in elder law, estate planning, and probate. With more than 2,400 cases handled across South Florida, we work with families at every stage, from proactive planning to immediate Medicaid and long-term care decisions. We can review how care needs, decision-making authority, existing estate documents, and asset preservation concerns fit together under Florida law.

West Palm Beach families can meet with us virtually or visit our Boca Raton office. We support electronic document handling and remote communication, making it easier for adult children and other family members to participate when they can’t attend every meeting in person. Initial consultation requests are accepted at (561) 760-9685 or through the contact us form online.

We offer free initial consultations by phone, video, or in person. Call (561) 760-9685 to schedule yours with no commitment or pressure.

Elder Law Services for West Palm Beach Families

We work with clients who are planning ahead as well as those facing an immediate crisis. Each plan is built around the family’s circumstances, needs, and goals rather than a template.

Medicaid Planning & Long-Term Care

Florida Medicaid planning for long-term care requires a review of the applicant’s income, assets, transfers, marital circumstances, care setting, and functional eligibility. We help seniors and their families understand what may be countable, what options exist, and what steps may support eligibility while protecting marital or family assets within the bounds of Florida law.

An asset protection trust is a legal structure that can play a role in Medicaid and long-term care planning. We use these tools where they fit a family’s circumstances and goals, and we explain their terms and limitations before recommending any approach.

Incapacity Documents

A durable power of attorney, advanced healthcare directive, and healthcare surrogate designation can provide legal authority to manage financial or medical decisions. These documents generally need to be completed while the person has the legal capacity required to execute them. When effective documents aren’t in place and capacity has already been lost, court-supervised guardianship may become part of the available legal process.

Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning

We prepare wills, revocable living trusts, and related documents tailored to each client’s goals and Florida law requirements. Whether a client is starting from scratch or updating an existing plan, we take the time to understand their family relationships, assets, and wishes before drafting anything.

Probate Administration

When a loved one passes, the family may need to administer the estate through Palm Beach County Circuit Court. Probate administration can include identifying estate assets, addressing creditor issues, following court procedures, and distributing property under the estate plan or Florida law. We handle formal administration, summary administration, and ancillary administration, guiding families through each step of the applicable process.

Florida Medicaid & Long-Term Care Planning

Long-term care costs in Florida, whether in a nursing facility or an assisted living community, can deplete a family’s savings quickly. Medicaid planning looks at available assets and income sources, evaluates eligibility under Florida’s current rules, and identifies legally permitted strategies that may help protect a family’s financial security.

The appropriate plan depends on factors such as countable and exempt assets, income, prior transfers, marital circumstances, care setting, and functional eligibility. Florida generally applies a 60-month look-back period to many transfers made before an application for long-term care services. Transfers for less than fair market value can affect eligibility, so families should obtain advice before giving away or repositioning assets.

We handle proactive planning when families have time to evaluate available structures and crisis planning when a parent is already receiving care. Depending on the facts, the review may include existing powers of attorney, trusts, prior transfers, spousal considerations, and whether a qualified income trust is relevant. Asset protection trusts may also be considered when their terms and timing fit the family’s circumstances. Current documents and timing matter, so a strategy that fits one family may not fit another.

Take the Next Step With Confidence

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At LEEP LAW GROUP, we're always ready to take your call! Give us a call at (561) 760-9685 or fill out the form below to contact one of our team members.

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Focused Practice That Protects Your Legacy

By dedicating our practice exclusively to estate planning, elder law, and probate, we deliver the depth of knowledge your family deserves.
Clarity You Can Rely On

We simplify complex legal processes into clear, straightforward steps so you always know your options and feel confident moving forward.
Trusted by Hundreds of Florida Families

Our reputation is built on real relationships, proven results, and the confidence families place in us during life’s most important moments.
Compassionate Guidance Through Life’s Transitions

From planning ahead to navigating loss, we walk beside you with empathy, patience, and clear guidance at every stage.
Personalized Strategies That Honor Your Wishes
We take the time to understand your goals, your family, and your future so every plan is thoughtfully tailored to reflect what matters most to you.
Free Consultations Available

We believe in helping families take the next step with confidence, which is why we offer free virtual consultations for select case types to discuss your options without obligation.

Protecting Your Legacy Starts Here

Definitely a 5-star team
“From start to finish, and they really took the time to make sure everything was handled correctly”

- Fernando B.
Highly responsive and helpful staff
“Got everything I needed to get my affairs in order”

- Snyder B.
I wholeheartedly recommend this firm.
“You can trust that you'll be exceptionally well cared for by Christine and her firm.”

- Embar

Focused Elder Law Experience & Personalized Planning

Recognized credentials and genuine warmth aren’t mutually exclusive, and we work to offer both. Our founding partners, Tara Wood and Christine Schafer, have each been selected to Super Lawyers. Christine also holds a 10.0 Top Attorney rating from Avvo, reflecting peer recognition and consistent client satisfaction.

Our practice is focused exclusively on estate planning, elder law, and probate. That focus matters: clients work with our team, which handles these issues every day, rather than a general practice that addresses them occasionally. Having handled more than 2,400 cases, from straightforward family planning to complex, high-net-worth estates, we can help keep difficult matters clear and manageable.

We communicate in plain language and give clients room to discuss decisions that are often deeply personal. Our approachable culture extends from the way we work with clients to our well-known Canine Co-Counsel.

What to Expect from an Elder Law Consultation

We use the first conversation to understand your situation, answer your questions, and explain which options may fit. Families come to us at many different points: some are planning ahead after a diagnosis, some are trying to understand Medicaid options for a parent already in a nursing home, and some are starting from scratch because no documents exist at all.

Every consultation is available by phone, video, or in person at our Boca Raton office. After that first conversation, much of our process can be completed through virtual meetings, remote communication, and electronic document handling, so West Palm Beach clients and their family members don’t need to make multiple trips. If you prefer in-person meetings throughout, that option is available.

When available, gather the following materials before we meet:

Existing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives
Financial information related to income, accounts, property, and significant transfers
Care records, facility information, or notices from agencies
Details about pending court proceedings or time-sensitive concerns

Questions about which materials to bring can be directed to (561) 760-9685. During the meeting, we can identify who needs help, review the documents already in place, and discuss how capacity, family relationships, finances, and care needs affect the available options. We then explain the recommended next steps and how follow-up meetings or document coordination can be handled.

Get a Clearer Path Forward

A first conversation can help identify the legal issue, determine whether the matter is proactive or urgent, and clarify which documents or financial details require review.

Call (561) 760-9685 to discuss your elder law matter with LEEP LAW GROUP. We offer free initial consultations so you can understand your options and decide whether our approach is the right fit.

Our FAQs

Estate planning combines legal tools like trusts, deeds, and beneficiary designations to keep your most valuable assets safe. In Florida, homestead laws and specific trust strategies can protect your home from creditors while allowing a spouse or child to remain in it.
A Boca Raton estate planning lawyer helps you structure ownership and secure financial stability for your loved ones. This kind of planning protects both your property and your family’s peace of mind.
Yes. Florida law allows you to revise your estate plan at any time while you have mental capacity. You should review your documents every few years or after major life events such as marriage, divorce, relocation, or retirement.
A Boca Raton estate planning attorney can update your will or trust to reflect new priorities and ensure everything remains legally enforceable. Keeping your plan current prevents confusion and makes it easier for your family to follow your wishes.
A properly structured trust allows your assets to be distributed to beneficiaries without the delays and costs of probate court. It can also maintain privacy and ensure that property is distributed exactly as you intend. Many Boca Raton families use revocable trusts to provide for a surviving spouse while preserving assets for children.
Our estate planning attorney explains the options under Florida law and helps you choose a trust that fits your goals and family situation.
A complete estate plan in Florida typically includes a will or a trust, a durable power of attorney, a living will, and a health care surrogate designation. Each serves a different purpose, but together they form a strong layer of protection for your assets and your loved ones.
A Boca Raton estate planning lawyer reviews every document to ensure it aligns with Florida’s legal requirements and accurately reflects your wishes for your loved ones.
The best time to start estate planning is now, while you are healthy and able to make informed decisions. Early planning helps you protect your financial and medical wishes before a crisis arises. Waiting until a health issue occurs can limit your options and create stress for your spouse or family.
Working with a Boca Raton estate planning attorney allows you to stay in control and update your plan as life changes, ensuring your wishes remain legally secure.

View All FAQs

How to Prepare for a Florida Medicaid Application

1
Discuss Your Plan with Your Spouse or Family

Open communication reduces disputes and confusion later.
2
Review Florida’s Legal Requirements

A Boca Raton Will attorney ensures your document meets all formalities for validity under state law.
3
Appoint a Responsible Personal Representative

Choose someone trustworthy who can carry out your wishes with care.
4
List All Assets and Beneficiaries

Write down everything you own and who you want to receive it. This helps clarify your priorities.
5
Stay Consistent and Informed

Estate planning is an ongoing process. Revisit your plan every few years or during major life events to keep it accurate and effective.
6
Review Existing Documents

Update any old wills, trusts, or powers of attorney so they align with your current life stage.
7
Discuss Long-Term Goals

Talk about future care needs, retirement plans, and how you want assets managed or distributed.
8
Take Inventory of Your Assets and Accounts

Record properties, investments, and insurance policies to form the foundation of your plan.

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7700 Congress Avenue
Suite 3209
Boca Raton, FL 33487

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