• Thursday, March 23, 2023

Committees

Probate & Trust

Guardianship, Power of Attorney & Advance Directives

The Guardianship, Power of Attorney, and Advance Directives Committee is responsible for the study of and preparation of proposed reforms of existing guardianship and mental health statutes. It is also responsible for monitoring legislative and case law developments relating to the care and protection of the person and property of individuals physically or mentally incapable of caring for themselves.

If you are interested in joining the Committee, please contact any of the Chairs.
 
The Committee’s next meeting is scheduled to be held at The Four Seasons in Orlando on December 9, 2022 from 8:30 - 10:30 AM. You can attend via zoom by registering here: 

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAoc-mhqjsqGNTPJ5fETP0Iu3Twu72ZGynD
 
 The Committee is actively working on the following projects:
  • Assisting with implementation of the initiatives raised in the Judicial Management Council Guardianship Workgroup Final Report
  • Addressing the dismissal of incapacity petitions
  • Addressing access to tenancy by the entireties accounts for necessary expenses of a guardianship ward.
  • Payment of Court Appointed Counsel's fee in good faith cases where no guardianship is established
  • Communications between Judges and the Court Clerk in guardianship accounting actions
  • Procedures for objecting to a suggestion of capacity – Fla. Stat. § 744.464
  • Matters relating to the Office of Public and Professional Guardian
  • Approval of fees paid to guardians and counsel for guardians
  • The use of alternative dispute resolution procedures in guardianship proceeding
 
The Committee’s current officers are:
 
 Stacy Beth Rubel
Chairperson
Virgil & Rubel LLP
305-448-6333
stacy@virgillaw.com
 
 Elizabeth Hughes
Vice-Chairperson
Akerman LLP
305-982-5545
liz.hughes@akerman.com
 
Caitlin Powell
Vice-Chairperson
Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP
727-461-1818
caitlinp@jpfirm.com
 
Jacobeli Behar
Vice-Chairperson
Behar Law P.A.
786-551-1426
jacobeli@beharfirm.com
 
Stephanie Cook 
Vice-Chairperson
Shuffield Lowman
407-581-9800
scook@shuffieldlowman.com