Elder law attorneys provide support for the legal needs of older and disabled individuals. The aging process can have a significant effect on the ability of elderly people to manage their own physical needs and can increase the chance of debilitating illnesses that can require special care on a regular basis. In addition, the need to deal with financial issues and estate planning can be challenging even for those in the best of health. Working with a qualified St. Petersburg elder law attorney can be a solid step toward ensuring the most appropriate arrangements for medical care, estate management and other aspects of the legal process for older and disabled individuals in our area. At Centonzio Law, we have the experience and the proven expertise to ensure that your legal matters are handled professionally and to your satisfaction. Our firm also has a law office in Largo, Florida.
The field of elder law encompasses a number of different legal fields and requires a combination of skills and knowledge on the part of your attorney. Because the regulations regarding elder law in the state of Florida are constantly evolving, your attorney must stay current with all changes to the law to provide you with the best representation. At Centonzio Law, we offer a range of elder law services that begin with the following steps:
The in-depth knowledge of the elder law experts at Centonzio Law can provide you with the right solutions for your legal needs in a range of activities, including the following:
At Centonzio Law, we work with you on all types of legal issues. Our St. Petersburg, Florida, elder law team will provide you with the specialized help you need to handle your legal issues as they arise. This can help you to manage your time and money more effectively and can allow you to deal with legal matters that include predatory nursing home practices, problems with negligence or mistreatment in residential facilities and forward-thinking estate planning strategies.
The team at Centonzio Law is committed to providing you with expert legal representation and friendly service that can help you and your family feel more at ease. We take the time to make sure our clients understand their options and to help you address uncertainty and take on the challenges of the golden years with greater confidence. Our legal team can also provide support for disabled individuals of any age to help them manage issues related to medical care and quality of life. This can allow you and your family to take a greater degree of control in managing financial and other issues and more effectively.
How do you know when to consult with an elder law attorney? You may have experienced difficulties in applying for Veterans Pension ( a.k.a. Aid & Attendance) or Medicaid to help pay for long-term care costs. In some cases, you may feel that your current estate plan needs to be updated. Senior citizens may also have issues with caregivers and assisted-living facilities that may not live up to expectations or may not provide the care needed to maintain health and well-being. Some of our clients come to us after determining that they cannot navigate the Florida legal system without professional help. Centonzio Law can provide you with proven solutions that can address all these issues and other problems that may arise during the golden years.
Resolving your legal issues quickly and effectively can provide you with added confidence and reduced stress when managing these problems for yourself or on behalf of a family member. The legal team at Centonzio Law has years of experience in creating solutions for senior citizens and disabled individuals for protecting their financial assets, establishing a workable estate plan and ensuring the most comfortable retirement in the St. Petersburg area.
You may be worried about the cost of elder law consultations. Javier Centonzio will work with you and your family to ensure that your experience with our law office is as affordable as possible. At Centonzio Law, we are absolutely committed to the welfare of our clients and will work to keep your costs low. We will complete your legal proceedings as quickly as possible to put the right protections in place for your financial resources and to help you put your affairs in order on behalf of your family and friends. This can give you added peace of mind about all your personal and legal needs.
At your initial consultation with Javier Centonzio and the Centonzio Law team, our discussions will focus on three basic goals:
To provide you with the most effective representation during this initial discussion, you should bring a few things with you to our law office:
If we need further information, the legal team at Centonzio Law will let you know what documentation, evidence and information to collect and bring to your next meeting with us. Our St. Petersburg elder law lawyer will work with you at every step of the way to ensure that you receive the most effective and relevant representation for a wide range of issues that include financial fraud, predatory nursing homes, incompetent or negligent caregivers and estate planning matters.
Centonzio Law is absolutely committed to providing the most appropriate and practical solutions for our clients throughout St. Petersburg and the surrounding areas. Javier Centonzio has a proven reputation for providing the most effective and practical help for our clients. Our dedication and commitment to serving the elder community can ensure the best solutions for your specific set of needs.
The outcome of your case will depend on a number of factors, including the facts we are able to ascertain and the evidence we can collect on your behalf. Every case we handle is different. We will work with you and your family to determine the best and most cost-effective approach for your needs:
Javier Centonzio and the Centonzio Law firm will work with you to make sure that your case is handled quickly and to your complete satisfaction. This can help you achieve the most positive results for you and your family. We offer comprehensive and practical elder law services in the St. Petersburg area, allowing you to trust us with your case and your ongoing well-being.
Medicaid is a federal program that provides financial assistance to individuals with limited needs who have extraordinary health care expenses. Many seniors need Medicaid to afford the cost of an assisted living facility, a nursing home, or in-home care. Medicaid benefits are subject to strict eligibility requirements regarding assets and income, and an applicant cannot give away assets within 5 years of a Medicaid application. This rule is referred to as the Medicaid “lookback” period. Individuals that violate this rule will be subject to a Medicaid transfer penalty.
Despite the rule barring giving away assets within 5 years of your application, many legal strategies exist for lowering your countable income and assets. Centonzio Law, PLLC has assisted hundreds of applicants obtainlong-term care benefits through Medicaid despite their belief they did not qualify financially. We have even helped clients obtain Medicaid benefits who were previously denied.
While every estate plan will differ based on an individual’s financial circumstances, family relationships, and other relevant factors, the most basic estate plan should include a last will and testament (and maybe a trust), health care surrogate, durable power of attorney, and a living will. These documents accomplish the following goals:
Last Will and Testament (Will): While a will can be used as your primary testamentary document, individuals that use a trust as the primary means to pass their assets to their friends and family still need a “pour-over will.” This type of will ensures that your assets transfer according to your wishes if they are inadvertently left out of your trust. Many estate plans use a trust as the primary document designating how the estate assets will be allocated among one’s heirs to avoid probate.
Durable Power of Attorney: This document allows you to appoint someone to handle your affairs if you become incapacitated. Careful consideration needs to be given as to the person you appoint to represent you and the scope of the powers and decision-making you give to this individual.
Health Care Surrogate Designation: This document allows you to determine the individual you want to make decisions about your medical treatment if you are incapacitated by illness, advanced age, or an accident. This type of document is referred to as a durable power of attorney for healthcare in many states.
Living Will: When a health care surrogate document and living will are paired together, these documents are collectively referred to as “healthcare advance directives.” Generally, a living will communicatesa person’s wishes regarding end-of-life medical treatment. This document allows you to indicate your preferences about extraordinary lifesaving measures like resuscitation, feeding tubes, and artificial respiration.
If you are looking for a trusted partner to manage your legal affairs, Elder Law Attorney Javier Centonzio can provide you with the benefit of his experience and advanced knowledge in the field of elder law. Centonzio Law will work with you and your family to provide you with the professional help and legal assistance you need for estate planning, asset protection, Veterans Pension and Medicaid issues.
For senior citizens, veterans, spouses of veterans, and disabled individuals who need the help of an experienced and knowledgeable legal team, give our offices a call today at 727-900-7290 to schedule your first appointment with Centonzio Law. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you.