Business Details
23 Years
experience
Your Trusted Elder Law & Estate Planning Attorneys in Venice, FL
Rheingans Law has dedicated its practice to helping clients protect their legacies and navigate complex legal matters related to estate planning, elder law, and Medicaid eligibility. With over two decades of combined experience, our team provides tailored legal strategies that address individual client needs while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and empathy. We specialize in crafting comprehensive estate plans, guiding families through probate processes, and developing Medicaid-compliant strategies to preserve assets for long-term care.Our commitment to exceptional client service is demonstrated through personalized attention, timely responsiveness, and a deep understanding of the emotional and financial considerations involved in these legal matters. As a trusted local resource, we maintain active involvement in professional organizations and legislative advocacy efforts to better serve our community's evolving needs.
Services
Estate Planning
Medicaid Planning
Probate Administration
Special Needs Trusts
Elder Law
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- Board-certified elder law attorney with 20+ years of experience
- Specialized Medicaid planning expertise for Florida residents
- Personalized estate planning solutions tailored to individual needs
- Active participation in state-level elder law policy development
- Proven track record serving Venice and surrounding communities since 2003
Associations and certifications
- Florida Bar Board Certification in Elder Law
Services
Medicaid Planning
Our Medicaid planning services help Florida residents qualify for long-term care benefits while preserving their assets. We analyze income and asset positions, develop customized eligibility strategies, and implement legal tools like trusts to protect resources. Our comprehensive approach includes application preparation, government agency representation, and ongoing compliance guidance to ensure clients receive necessary care without exhausting their life savings.
Estate Planning
We create customized estate plans that ensure proper asset distribution and incapacity planning. Our services include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives that address each client's unique family dynamics and financial situation. We help clients avoid probate court proceedings while ensuring their wishes are clearly documented and legally enforceable, providing peace of mind for both clients and their loved ones.
Probate Administration
Our firm guides personal representatives through Florida's probate process for decedent estates. We handle all aspects of estate administration including will filing, asset inventory, creditor notification, tax compliance, and final distribution. We also assist with ancillary probate matters for out-of-state residents owning Florida property, ensuring efficient transfer of real estate and other assets to rightful beneficiaries.
Special Needs Trusts
We establish special needs trusts to protect government benefits eligibility for disabled individuals while providing supplemental financial resources. These trusts allow clients to leave inheritances or manage settlement funds without jeopardizing access to critical programs like Medicaid and SSI. Our attorneys ensure proper trust drafting to maintain asset protection and compliance with evolving regulations governing benefits programs.
Elder Law Services
Our elder law practice addresses the comprehensive legal needs of aging clients, including guardianship planning, long-term care options, and residential rights in care facilities. We combine traditional estate planning with proactive strategies for incapacity and end-of-life care, helping families navigate complex medical and financial decisions while maintaining dignity and independence for senior clients.
People
Matthew Rheingans
Attorney
Matthew Rheingans is a Florida Bar Board-Certified Elder Law attorney with over 20 years of experience. He served as President of the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys and actively participates in state-level policy development. Admitted in multiple states, he focuses on estate planning, Medicaid compliance, and probate administration while maintaining active involvement in local legal and service organizations.
Questions
What Medicaid eligibility requirements apply in Florida?
Florida Medicaid requires applicants to meet income limits ($2,829/month in 2023), asset thresholds ($2,000 for individuals), and medical necessity criteria for long-term care services.
Why is estate planning important for Florida residents?
Proper estate planning ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes, avoids probate court delays, and protects beneficiaries through customized legal documents like wills and trusts.
How can I protect assets from nursing home costs?
Our Medicaid planning strategies use legal tools like trusts and income redirection to preserve assets while qualifying for long-term care benefits, following strict state and federal regulations.
What happens if I don't have a will in Florida?
Without a will, Florida's intestacy laws determine asset distribution, which may not align with your wishes and could lead to family disputes or unintended beneficiaries receiving your property.
What documents should every Florida estate plan include?
Essential documents include a Last Will, Durable Power of Attorney, Healthcare Surrogate, Living Will, and Declaration of Pre-Need Guardian to address all aspects of asset management and healthcare decisions.
How does probate work in Florida?
Florida probate involves filing the will, appointing a personal representative, inventorying assets, paying debts, and distributing property according to the will through court supervision, typically taking 6-12 months.
