Longa Law Firm

Did You Know? 🌟
Once children turn 18, they are legally considered adults. This means parents can’t automatically access their medical information or make decisions on their behalf without proper authorization.
A recent case involved a college student who fell ill while attending school out-of-state. Unfortunately, her parents couldn’t get any updates on her condition without her consent, and she was unconscious at the time. 😔
Once she was back home and feeling better, important steps were taken: she signed a Durable Power of Attorney, a Healthcare Surrogate Designation, and a HIPAA Authorization. These documents ensure that her parents can step in if needed.
Do you know someone whose child is heading off to college? Make sure they’re prepared! 🏫✍️
Call us at 813-751-3500 to schedule an attorney consultation.

📝 National Will Month: Secure Your Legacy Today! 📝
August is National Will Month, and the perfect time to ensure your wishes are clearly documented and legally binding. Don’t leave your loved ones relying on what the state decides —Decide for yourself! Take control of your future with a comprehensive estate plan.
🌟 Why Create a Will?
Here a 6 great reasons:
1. Ensure your wishes are honored;
2. Provide for loved ones that would not be considered your “heirs” under Florida law;
3. Disinherit people who would be considered your heirs under Florida law;
4. Name a legal guardian for your minor child(ren);
5. Choose a personal representative in charge of administering your estate; and
6. Avoid legal complications and disputes.

Longa Law is here to help.

Many people don’t realize that once children turn 18, they are legally considered adults. This means parents can’t automatically access their medical information or make decisions on their behalf without proper authorization.
A recent case involved a college student who fell ill while attending school out-of-state. Unfortunately, her parents couldn’t get any updates on her condition without her consent, and she was unconscious at the time. 😔
Once she was back home and feeling better, important steps were taken: she signed a Durable Power of Attorney, a Healthcare Surrogate Designation, and a HIPAA Authorization. These documents ensure that her parents can step in if needed.
Do you know someone whose child is heading off to college? Make sure they’re prepared! 🏫✍️

Understanding the Differences: Power of Attorney vs. Personal Representative

When planning your estate, it’s crucial to know the roles of a Power of Attorney (POA) Agent and a Personal Representative (PR). A POA Agent is someone you appoint to make financial or medical decisions on your behalf while you’re alive but incapacitated. In contrast, a PR manages your estate after your passing, ensuring your wishes are carried out.
Longa Law helps clients plan for incapacity with POAs and designate their desired PR in their wills.

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy! Many people believe that only those with significant assets need an estate plan, but that’s not true. Attorney Lesly V. will help you plan ahead to avoid court in the event of your incapacity or to pass along assets to heirs. Whether you own a home, have a business, or simply want to ensure your wishes are honored, estate planning is essential for everyone. Protecting your assets and loved ones from unexpected events is crucial. 🌟
Start planning today to secure your future! 📝

Longa Law helps people plan ahead for whatever the future may bring. Attorney Lesly Longa V. is part of the Florida Bar’s Speakers bureau, and last week, she had the opportunity to present on elder law and estate planning to a 55+ community. Lesly likes to do one every month, so contact us today if you have a group in need of some Elder Law or Estate Planning 101.

A Gun Trust can be a crucial step in ensuring that your fi****ms are managed and transferred according to your wishes, while complying with all legal requirements. If you own NFA-regulated fi****ms and don’t have a Gun Trust, Longa Law Firm can help you.
Here’s our latest blog post where you can learn more:
https://ow.ly/yOSu50SxgqK

Happy Independence Day, friends!

Today we celebrate our freedom and the brave souls who fought for it. Here's to the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Have a safe and joyful 4th of July! 🇺🇸

Ready for a fantastic summer vacation? Don't forget to include estate planning in your travel plans! Whether you're conquering the mountains or lounging on the beach, it's important to be prepared for the unexpected and have a plan to protect your loved ones in place.

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and it's a great reminder to make sure our loved ones are protected. Estate planning is a crucial step in safeguarding their future. Let's show our elders the love and care they deserve by empowering them to name those they want to help them and ensure their well-being while they still have the capacity to do so.

Life is unpredictable, and so is the future. That's why having a back-up agent in your estate plan is crucial. It ensures that your wishes are carried out no matter what happens. Let's work together to secure a stable future for you and your loved ones.

🌈 This month, we celebrate love, acceptance, and diversity. We are proud to support our LGBTQ+ community, friends and family. Everyone deserves the right to love who they love and be proud of who they are.

On this Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Their bravery and selflessness will never be forgotten. Today, we stand united in gratitude for their service.

Hey parents - It's never too early to start thinking about estate planning for the benefit of your children! From guardianship arrangements before you take that much needed vacation without the kids, to setting up trusts to pay for their education, there's a lot to consider. We take the guesswork out of it. If you have questions about creating a family trust plan, call us at 813-751-3500 to schedule a time with Attorney Lesly V.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! Here's to celebrating you and all you do. 💐

Happy International Day of Dance from Lesly Longa Vaillancourt, your flamenco dancing attorney friend. Please enjoy my little article on Flamenco Dancing, published as part of a series on self-care in the American Bar Association’s GPSolo magazine. https://ow.ly/ZzPk50RrfAh💃 Ole!

Are you aware of the complexities in estate planning laws across state lines? Working with an estate planning lawyer in your state is crucial to avoid the financial and emotional burdens of probate court. A revocable living trust can help minimize expenses and attorney fees while ensuring your assets are protected. Read more about it here: https://ow.ly/OO5c50RfkqZ

🌸 Spring has sprung and so has our latest newsletter! 🌼 From fresh content to exciting updates, this issue is filled with all things bright and beautiful. Don't miss out on all the goodness - make sure you're subscribed to our newsletter! 📰✨ Sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/longalaw/sign-up-for-our-newsletter

✨✍️ Estate planning made simple: documents are split into 3 key categories.📜 Take the time to organize your future with these essential legal documents to ensure your wishes are carried out. 💼 🏡

With graduation season coming up, planning for the future doesn't have to be stressful! Make sure your adult children have these 3 essential estate planning documents in place: a Designation of Health Care Surrogate, a Power of Attorney, and a HIPAA Authorization. Secure your peace of mind because they will always be your babies. 💛

📅 Save the Date! Join us for a Lunch & Learn on business succession planning at our downtown Tampa offices at noon on April 24th. If you plan on joining us, please reserve your spot here: https://ow.ly/eZab50RaqeS

🌸 Happy Easter Sunday! 🐰🐣 Embrace the joy and beauty of this special day filled with love, hope, and new beginnings. May your heart be light and your spirits high as we wish you a day filled with blessings and happiness! ✨💕

As you do you Spring cleaning, just a reminder to be sure to keep all of your important documents in one location and that your VIPs know this location. Happy first day of Spring!

One of my most beloved clients was from Ireland. Even though she lived in the U.S. for 50 years, she never lost that sharp Irish accent. On this St. Patrick's day, I'll leave you with one of her favorite old sayings: "A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures." 🍀

Mapping out your legacy? 👨‍💼📜 Choosing the right executor or personal representative for your will (or trustee for your trust) is a crucial decision. Seek someone trustworthy, detail-oriented & capable of handling financial matters. Call 813-751-3500 and schedule a time with Attorney Lesly V. if you need assistance.

Happy International Women's Day to all the incredible female entrepreneurs out there! Today, we celebrate the strength, dedication, and talent of women-owned businesses worldwide. Let's continue to support and empower each other as we strive for success together. 💪✨

Un testamento proporciona su última palabra para la distribución de activos a beneficiarios designados, pero crear un ofrece flexibilidad y control. Lea todo sobre esto en mi publicación de blog aqui: https://ow.ly/zwVb50QHWjZ

🏡 Friendly reminder: Don't forget to file for your homestead exemption by March 1st if you purchased your primary residence or changed title to it last year. The homestead exemption saves money on property taxes and protects your home from creditors!

I do a lot of business succession planning to help people leave their businesses to their families. 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Sibling conflict can be avoided by transferring the business to those who are interested in running it and then using life insurance or other assets to make the beneficiaries equal. Interested in learning more about business succession planning? Let's talk! 💼💡