Stay Informed about Planning

Make use of these resources when it comes to finding out more about protecting and caring for Florida’s elderly.

www.care.com – a directory of senior care web resources with links

www.aarp.org/states/fl – AARP Florida

www.flseniors.net – Florida Department of Financial Services-Senior Resource Center

elderaffairs.state.fl.us – Florida Department of Elder Affairs

www.dcf.state.fl.us/as – Adult Services, part of the Florida Department of Children and Families
Image of a Elderly Woman

Be Aware

There are a multitude of products on the market and online offering do-it-yourself Will kits that provide “a complete Will in a matter of minutes” and easy forms that claim to be “so simple even a child could do it.” These marketing messages promise fast, easy and inexpensive – often free – programs and forms to create a Will in just a few steps.

Be wary!

Products like these may not offer insights into legal differences from state to state regarding Will preparation or execution, and they cannot offer counsel on the impact of particulars specific to your Will. Also, an improperly prepared Will could wind up in litigation. Keep in mind, too, that for a Will to be properly executed in Florida, it must be signed by two witnesses in the presence of the person making the Will.

Florida Has A Strong Public Policy in Favor of Protecting Florida’s Elderly and Vulnerable Adults

Wills are serious business in Florida because the state’s elderly population is large and continues to grow. Seventeen percent of Florida’s population was 65 or older in 2006 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. With such a large elderly population, there are, unfortunately, plenty of people ready and willing to take advantage.

Florida has a strong public policy in favor of protecting elderly and vulnerable adults from exploitation. This policy has resulted in some of the best and most aggressive laws in the country designed to protect its elderly population.

Florida’s legislature has enacted laws creating both civil and criminal sanctions for those who exploit the state’s elderly or vulnerable adults. These laws provide for actual damages, triple damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees and costs, depending on the circumstances. If a person exploits an elderly or vulnerable adult in the amount of $100,000 or more, that person may be guilty of a first degree felony.



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