Imagine this scenario: John, a 77-year-old widower, has been living in New York and receiving Medicaid benefits to cover his long-term care needs. His son, who lives in Florida, has been urging John to move closer to family. John is open to the idea but worries about how the move will impact his Medicaid coverage, which is crucial for maintaining his quality of life. This situation is not uncommon. As a Florida senior, you may be relying on Medicaid for your healthcare needs. But what happens if you decide to move to another state or if you're moving to Florida from another state? Does Medicai ..read more

Imagine receiving a frantic call from someone claiming to be your grandchild, involved in an accident and in desperate need of money. Unfortunately, this scenario, known as the "grandparent scam," is a harsh reality for many seniors in Florida, as recently highlighted by WPLG Local 10. It's a situation that raises a crucial question for many children: how do I protect my elderly parents' assets and ensure their financial well-being? This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of our elderly loved ones to scams and financial exploitation. As your parents age, they may become m ..read more

When you apply for Florida Medicaid to cover the costs of long-term care, any asset transfers you made in the previous five years may impact your eligibility. This is due to the Medicaid transfer penalty, a rule set by Medicaid to discourage individuals from reducing their assets simply to qualify for benefits. If you transfer assets for less than fair market value during this "look-back" period, you may find yourself facing a penalty period during which you are ineligible for Medicaid coverage. Understanding the specifics of this penalty is crucial as the rules can be complex. A Medicaid tran ..read more

WINTER PARK, Florida—Geoff Hoatson, CEO & Founding Attorney of Family First Firm, is pleased to announce that Jorge Colon has joined the team as Chief Operating Officer. “We are thrilled to welcome Jorge to the firm,” says Hoatson. “As a leader, you look for certain qualities in all new hires. Our firm seeks individuals with exceptional intellect, a strong work ethic, and integrity. Jorge excels in each of these categories. We also find it important that anyone we hire embodies our core values, such as owning results, relentless optimism, and doing the right thing. Jorge brings more than 2 ..read more

Witnessing Alzheimer's or dementia steal your loved one's independence is one of life's hardest battles. As their needs outpace your ability to care, exploring supportive options like memory care becomes a heartbreaking yet necessary consideration.  However, the high costs of memory care can seem insurmountable, especially for families already dealing with significant emotional and physical burdens. If you find yourself in this difficult situation, you’re likely wondering, “does Medicaid cover memory care in Florida?”  In this blog post, a Florida Medicaid lawyer from Family First Fi ..read more

WINTER PARK, Florida—Geoff Hoatson, CEO & Founding Attorney of Family First Firm, proudly announces a relocation from Orlando to Winter Park. Due to rapid growth, the firm moved to a larger office space at 1030 West Canton Avenue, Suite 102, Winter Park, FL 32789 in December. Family First Firm’s remarkable expansion and hiring of some amazing people who are going to drive the firm even further and beyond, necessitated much more room to accommodate its expanding team. The beautiful new space reflects the firm's commitment to excellence and the hard work of its dedicated staff. Hoatson and h ..read more

As the year draws to a close, it's the perfect opportunity to ensure you're ending it on a strong note. One of the most effective ways to do this is by reviewing and updating your estate plan. While estate planning might not be the first thing that comes to mind for holiday activities, it's a crucial step in securing peace of mind for the new year. This review ensures that your wishes are clearly laid out and your loved ones are protected. With that in mind, a member of our Winter Park estate planning attorney team has created a detailed checklist to confirm whether your estate plan is current ..read more

In our previous blog, we explored the various factors that could lead to a Medicaid application denial in Florida. Understanding these reasons is crucial for anyone applying for Medicaid, especially when seeking coverage for long-term care. However, what should you do if, despite your best efforts, you find yourself facing a denial? In this blog, we shift our focus from prevention to action, guiding you through the essential steps to take if you’ve been denied for Medicaid in Florida. Whether it's reconsidering your financial strategies, navigating the appeals process, or simply understanding ..read more

As our parents age, we often find ourselves needing to step in and help them navigate the healthcare system. This can be especially true when it comes to applying for Medicaid, a program that provides long-term care for those in need. If your parents are in need of Medicaid coverage in Florida, there are certain steps you can take to apply for Medicaid in Florida on their behalf. In addition, working with a Florida Medicaid attorney can make the process much smoother and less stressful. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to apply for Medicaid in Florida and how an attorney can help. If you n ..read more

Imagine working hard your entire life, saving diligently, only to have those assets evaporate due to the staggering costs of long-term care. When it comes to planning for Medicaid, many people think that it's something they can put off until they're older. However, the truth is that it's never too early to start planning for Medicaid, and you're not too young to begin the process. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at why planning for Medicaid in Florida is essential, regardless of your age or health status. At Family First Firm, we’re always by your side to provide simple yet creativ ..read more