- GuardianshipGuardianship is when one person’s rights are taken away and given to another person. A court takes away the rights of one person, called the Ward, and gives them to another person, called the Guardian. Since guardianship involves the taking away of a person’s rights, our office and the courts treat guardianship as a last resort. There are, however, some people who can no longer take care of themselves, who will not cooperate with family or friends, and who did not do legal planning in advance of their incapacity.
- Medicaid PlanningThe firm has a nationwide practice, being called upon for assistance by lawyers in many different states. The firm provides a full range of legal services including Medicaid planning, long-term care asset protection, special needs planning, nursing home issues, planning for incapacity, guardianship, probate, wills and trusts and general advice on improving quality of life.
- Estate PlanningScott Solkoff is a Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in Elder Law. He represents clients who live at least part-time anywhere in Florida. The firm he founded, Solkoff Legal, P.A., is based in Delray Beach (Palm Beach County), Florida. Solkoff Legal, P.A. is a law firm which exclusively represents the elderly, people with disabilities and their caregivers. Scott and his father, Jerome Solkoff (of blessed memory), are co-authors of the leading textbook on the subject (written for lawyers), now beyond it’s 14th print edition. Scott has been elected a Fellow of the prestigious American College of Trusts and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).
- WillsBrandon is an active member of the legal community. He has served as a Director on the Board of Dade County Bar Young Lawyers Association and as Executive Council Member of the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar. Brandon also graduated from the inaugural class of the Florida Bar WM. Reece Smith, JR. Leadership Academy and has participated on multiple committees of the Family Law & Elder Law sections of the Florida Bar. Brandon is active in the local community. He has been recognized by Lotus House for providing educational services to woman in distress and has spoken to a variety of organizations about wills and estate planning issues.
- TrustsIn order for many disabled people to obtain health insurance and other assistance, they must qualify for Medicaid and other government programs based on financial need. We help our clients to legally protect assets so as to retain or obtain eligibility for these sometimes life-giving benefits. This planning also applies to our clients who wish to provide for a disabled heir in a will or a trust.In order for many disabled people to obtain health insurance and other assistance, they must qualify for Medicaid and other government programs based on financial need. We help our clients to legally protect assets so as to retain or obtain eligibility for these sometimes life-giving benefits. This planning also applies to our clients who wish to provide for a disabled heir in a will or a trust.Special Needs Trusts allow people to keep the benefit of their money and their public benefits. For example, having unprotected money can cause people to lose their Medicaid, SSI and any other public benefits which depend upon financial need.
- Power of AttorneyWhile the terminology of ‘Elder Law’ may sound daunting, in practice it amounts to Solkoff Legal and our experienced elder law attorneys acting to advise, assist, and counsel our clients. The focus of Elder Law is on the client’s needs as they change and evolve with age. Thus, the legal services involved can come in a variety of forms: predicting and planning for long-term care, assisting in the creation and appointment of a fiduciary or Power of Attorney, advising of potential public or private resources to assist in covering projected costs, and protecting & preserving the interests and care of our clients.
- Probate
- Tax LawAccording to a study from the University of Florida, New Yorkers comprise the single largest population of Florida’s temporary residents. Affectionately known as “Snowbirds,” many of these New Yorkers ultimately decide to make Florida their permanent home. This creates unique Elder Law issues since the overwhelming majority of these residents are retirees. These issues can affect everything from estate planning – Is my Will or Trust still good in Florida?- to long-term care planning, tax issues and homestead issues.