There are times, especially when probating older Wills, when you need signatures from the subscribing witnesses, but you can’t find them. Maybe they’ve died or they moved away. Maybe the signatures were illegible, and you don’t have good contact information. In cases like this O.C.G.A. § 53-5-24 provides for a workaround. Specifically, it provides: When […]
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The following sample language comes from a trust that was drafted years ago, however it remains useful in understanding issues to consider when drafting trusts: Appointment of Trustee. During my lifetime, [TRUSTEE] shall act as the sole Trustee of all trusts created in this agreement, with the full powers, duties and responsibilities as set forth […]
Stetson’s College of Law announced that it will offer a graduate certificate program for Elder Law Attorneys who need tax knowledge, but not the Tax LL.M. They state: Many cases affecting clients involve tax issues. Because clients often fall in the middle class, they do not always need sophisticated tax planning. But, attorneys who represent […]
After a policy holder dies, it is important to contact insurance companies to see whether a claim should be paid. Types of claims can include: Life insurance payout Refund of unused premiums Indemnities Typically assets with a beneficiary designation are not probate assets and should be paid to the person named as beneficiary. In some […]

Ideally, health care providers do the right thing. Good Care is provided. There is no negligence. But what if they don’t do the right thing? What if they are negligent? Should you have the right to consider your options regarding how to hold them accountable? Over the past two decades, many long-term care providers, especially […]
On May 26, 2023, the Ohio Court of Appeals for the Sixth Appellate District decided Kaltenbach v. Wasserman. Keith Kaltenbach was sued for allegedly breaching his duty under a power of attorney, engaged in undue influence and unlawfully converting portions of her real property and money. After he was sued, Keith met with attorney Wasserman […]

As of this writing, the following pooled trusts are authorized by the Department of Community Health to provide trust services in Georgia: Georgia Community/Trust/Bobby Dodd Institute Anita Gardner Decatur, GA 404.809.2914 Anchor For Special Needs, Inc. Annie Warner Cincinnati, OH 844.526.2467 Advocates and Guardians for the Elderly & Disabled (AGED) Thad A. Joseph Longwood, FL 888-277-1826 The Center […]
(Last Updated: 9/6/2022) We’ve found the Georgia legal forms linked below from various sources. By linking them here, we are not suggesting that you DIY your legal work. If you care about something enough to protect it, hire a lawyer who knows how to do it right. Abraham Lincoln is one of the individuals credited […]
There are times when formal “legal” communication is necessary. This post addresses several instances regarding how that can be done. It is not meant to be all inclusive and, in many cases, specific communication rules apply. Beginning a lawsuit: When you begin a lawsuit, a summons must be served on the Defendant(s). Generally, Rule 4 […]
(Current as of January 25, 2022) Attorneys are certified as Certified Elder Law Attorneys by the National Elder Law Foundation. NELF lists the criteria for being certified on its website at the following link: Qualifications Summary. The following Florida attorneys have been certified by NELF: Vicki Joiner Bowers Bowers and Associates, PA 6789 Southpoint Pkwy, Ste 300 […]
The worksheet below is not intended as a substitute for legal advice. It requires an understanding of the Medicaid budgeting process in the State where the applicant is applying for Medicaid. However, if the user knows how that process works, then this worksheet is designed to provide a “quick and dirty” estimate of the patient […]
Attorneys are certified as Certified Elder Law Attorneys by the National Elder Law Foundation. NELF lists the criteria for being certified on its website at the following link: Qualifications Summary. The following Tennessee attorneys have been certified by NELF. Amelia G. Crotwell 903 N Hall Of Fame Dr., Knoxville, Tennessee 37917-6748 (865) 951-2541 Website Henry D. Fincher […]
Gifting is usually a last resort when creating a Medicaid Plan. The reason is gifts trigger a transfer of resources penalty. The Medicaid Transfer Penalty Worksheet can be used to calculate the penalty, but an additional worksheet is helpful when calculating the amount of income a Medicaid applicant must generate to private pay through the […]
The form below was developed by the Georgia Department of Community Health and is based on Section 2342-11 of the Georgia ABD Medicaid Manual:
EZ Elder Law is intended to provide helpful/useful information for (1) older adults, (2) individuals with special needs, (3) caregivers and (4) the professionals who work with them. With that in mind, if you are a Certified Elder Law Attorney, NAELA Fellow, member of NAELA’s Council of Advanced Practitioners, ACTEC Fellow, Super Lawyer, AV Rated […]
The spreadsheet included below can be used to help total your countable and exempt resources when evaluating your eligibility for public benefits like Medicaid.

(Last updated 8/8/2023) The central and initial issue in every guardianship and conservatorship case is whether the proposed ward has decision-making capacity. In other words, can the proposed ward make and communicate significant decisions about himself (or herself) and can the proposed ward make and communicate significant decisions about his (or her) finances? For purposes […]
2022 Special Needs Planning Symposium We don’t always give a shout-out for symposiums sponsored by others, but we’ll make an exception here. The 2022 Special Needs Planning Symposium looks like an all-star cast for anyone on the West Coast who works with special needs individuals (especially if you can’t make it to Stetson). Two sessions […]
On September 1, 2021, the Administration for Community Living posted a guest blog titled “BE WITH: Combating Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Suicide Risk. The blog post describes “how one project is helping build capacity within the aging network to help address social isolation and loneliness and prevent suicide amongst older adults.” Contributors include Laura Shannonhouse, […]
The best way to avoid fraud is to be aware and to do your due diligence when someone asks for or demands money. For example, there are scammers calling, impersonating law enforcement, and telling callers they must pay money or they will be arrested. See City of Portland – Phone Scam Fraud Impersonating Police Office. […]
The following language was used in a contract dispute where a Motion for Summary Judgment was filed in Superior Court: “The standard on motion for summary judgment is whether any genuine issue of material fact exists and, if not, whether the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See O.C.G.A. § […]
The University of Alabama School of Law Director, Elder Law Clinic The University of Alabama School of Law seeks applicants for the position of Director for its Elder Law Clinic. The Director oversees and conducts all phases of legal advocacy for clinic clients, teaches and supervises clinic students, and manages law clinic staff. The position […]
The National Guardianship Association announced a date correction for the following event: Is it Alzheimer’s or Normal Aging Thursday, August 26, 2021 @ 1 p.m. Eastern (12 p.m. Central, 11 a.m. Mountain, 10 a.m. Pacific) Many people confuse normal aging memory issues as early warning signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Understanding the differences can prevent a great deal […]
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Finding the law isn’t always easy, but we’re here to try to and make it a little bit easier. First, you can use the Georgia Researcher’s Guide on Georgia Legal Research at:Â https://libguides.law.gsu.edu/c.php?g=253377&p=1689695 Georgia Supreme Court Cases: https://www.gasupreme.us/ https://law.justia.com/georgia/ Official Code of Georgia: https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/ https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/ Georgia Regulations: http://rules.sos.ga.gov/GAC/ https://regulations.justia.com/states/georgia/

