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Law Firm Providing Personalized Elder Law Counsel

The term “elder law” encompasses various areas of the law, including estate planning, advance directives, long-term care planning, Medicaid and VA pension benefits and more. Our law firm guides clients in Pasco County and surrounding counties through these and related areas of concern to individuals, couples and families.

Delzer, Coulter & Bell, P.A., assists older clients as well as adults of all ages in Florida with advance directives such as durable medical powers of attorney and living wills. Advance directives allow you to express your wishes about medical treatment and appoint trusted people to handle your affairs. Making your wishes known in advance can minimize difficulties for those responsible for making decisions for you in case of incapacity. Attorney Rebecca C. Bell is board certified in elder law. The certification process involves rigorous exams and keeping up to date with current laws and processes set forth by The Florida Bar.

The firm understands how to effectively take elder law issues into account in estate planning strategies, helping you make financial and medical decisions that support your goals. If relevant to your situation, ask us about disability and long-term care aspects of elder law, including Medicaid planning and the use of Veterans Affairs (VA) pension benefits.

The Power Of A Durable Power Of Attorney

To ensure that your needs are properly addressed if you become incapacitated, you can give another person – your agent – the authority to make decisions about your personal matters. A durable power of attorney gives your agent control of your health care decisions or your legal and financial issues. You may choose one person to act as agent in both areas, or you may choose different people.

Durable powers of attorney can give you the comfort of knowing that your affairs will be handled wisely and that your best interests will be protected. Florida’s power of attorney law changed significantly on October 1, 2011. Although powers of attorney executed before October 1, 2011, remain valid, you may wish to have your power of attorney evaluated to determine if you should have a new one prepared.

Living Wills And Health Care Surrogate Declarations

In Florida, you can create a living will to make it known that you do not wish the end of your life to be prolonged by artificial means. A Florida living will allows you to name the conditions under which you would not want to have life-prolonging medical treatment if you are incapacitated. These include:

  • A terminal condition
  • An end-stage condition
  • A persistent vegetative state

If your doctors determine that there is no reasonable likelihood of your recovery from the condition or conditions that you have named, your living will requires that life-prolonging procedures be withheld or withdrawn.

Your living will may appoint a health care surrogate. This person upholds the choices that you have made, ensuring that doctors follow the instructions you have given. Your surrogate’s authority is limited to the enforcement of your instructions as described in your living will.

Prepare For Your Future Needs With Help From A Skilled Elder Law Attorney

Delzer, Coulter & Bell, P.A., offers a free consultation to review your elder law needs. Rebecca C. Bell is a Florida board certified elder law attorney who can help you make the right decisions about your future. Contact the firm through our online form or call 877-815-4218.