Hernando County Elder Law Attorney | Trusted & Board-Certified

Hernando County has become one of Florida's fastest-growing retirement destinations. Spring Hill, the county's largest community, draws retirees who want the warmth and tax advantages of Florida without the cost and congestion of the Tampa Bay urban core. Brooksville, the county seat, maintains the character of an older Florida town surrounded by oak hammocks and rolling terrain.

Nearly one in four Hernando County residents is age 65 or older, well above the national average. For families who have settled here, built their retirement savings, and now face decisions about long-term care, protecting those assets while planning for Medicaid, probate, and guardianship is exactly the work a Hernando County elder law attorney is built to handle.

Contact Elder Needs Law for a consultation about Florida Medicaid and elder law planning. Call (352) 570-5133 or request a consultation online.

Elder Needs Law, PLLC serves Hernando County clients from its nearby Spring Hill location, available by appointment. The firm is led by Jason Neufeld, Esq., a Florida Bar Board-Certified Elder Law Attorney and author of the Florida Medicaid Planning Book. Whether you recently retired to Spring Hill, have lived in Brooksville for decades, or are an adult child helping an aging parent plan ahead, we are here to help. Appointments are available by phone, video, or in person at the Spring Hill office by arrangement.

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Nearest Office for Hernando County Clients

Address	12511 Spring Hill Dr, Spring Hill, FL 34609
Phone	(352) 570-5133
Availability	By appointment only. In-person, phone, and video consultations available.
Languages	English and Spanish (Hablamos Espanol)
Serving	All of Hernando County and surrounding West Central Florida communities

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We serve clients throughout Hernando County, including Spring Hill, Brooksville, Weeki Wachee, Hernando Beach, Masaryktown, Ridge Manor, and Aripeka, as well as neighboring Pasco County communities such as Hudson and New Port Richey. Phone and video consultations are available for clients who prefer not to travel. Contact us to schedule your appointment.

Why Hernando County Families Need a Trusted Elder Law Attorney

Planning for aging is not the same as general estate planning. A general practitioner can draft a will or a basic trust. Once Medicaid eligibility, nursing home costs, guardianship, or disability planning enters the picture, you need an attorney whose entire practice is dedicated to helping clients with the legal and financial realities of aging.
The cost of long-term care in the Spring Hill area is substantial and rising. Skilled nursing facility care in the Hernando and Pasco County region commonly runs $8,000 to $11,000 per month or more, depending on the level of care and facility. Assisted living in Hernando County typically ranges from $2,500 to $5,000 per month. Without proper planning, a senior's lifetime savings can be depleted within a year or two.

Medicaid exists to help cover these costs, but qualifying while protecting as much of the family's assets as possible requires careful, strategic planning. Florida's Medicaid rules change every year. Income limits, asset thresholds, the five-year look-back period, exempt property rules, and spousal protections all interact in ways that are difficult to navigate without a knowledgeable Hernando County elder law attorney guiding you through the process.

3 Reasons to Start Planning Early

More strategies stay available. Planning ahead opens options that disappear once someone is already in a facility or applying under pressure.
You avoid costly mistakes. An accidental transfer or the wrong asset titling can create a Medicaid penalty period that proper planning would have prevented.
Your family has a roadmap. Clear documents spare loved ones from guessing during a crisis.

Hernando County Medicaid Planning Attorney for Spring Hill Seniors

Medicaid planning is the cornerstone of what we do. Florida's Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care program covers nursing home care, assisted living, and home and community-based services for seniors who meet both medical and financial eligibility criteria. Many Hernando County families find that qualifying is more achievable than they expected, especially with experienced legal guidance from an attorney dedicated to helping clients with Florida Medicaid planning.

2026 Florida Medicaid Eligibility at a Glance

Eligibility Factor	2026 Threshold
Income limit (single applicant)	$2,982 per month
Asset limit (single applicant)	$2,000 in countable assets
Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA)	Up to $162,660 retained by the non-applying spouse
Minimum monthly income for community spouse (MMMNA)	$2,644, up to a maximum of $4,066.50
Home equity limit	Up to approximately $752,000
Look-back period	60 months (5 years)
Personal needs allowance (nursing home)	$160 per month

Figures are current as of January 2026 and are adjusted periodically. Always confirm the latest numbers against current Florida DCF eligibility standards or with our office before relying on them.

If your income exceeds the limit, you may still qualify through a Qualified Income Trust (QIT), sometimes called a Miller Trust. Not meeting a threshold today does not mean you cannot qualify. This is where guidance from an attorney experienced in Florida Medicaid planning makes all the difference.

What Medicaid Planning Involves

Protect the family home from Medicaid estate recovery
Spend down countable assets in permissible ways that benefit you and your family
Establish a Medicaid-compliant annuity to convert a countable asset into an income stream
Maximize spousal protections through CSRA and income-first calculations

Create or modify an irrevocable trust to shelter assets outside the look-back window
Navigate Medicaid applications with the Florida Department of Children and Families
Appeal a Medicaid denial when an application has been improperly rejected

Have Medicaid questions specific to your situation? Speak with a Hernando County Medicaid planning attorney.

Elder Law Services We Provide to Hernando County Clients

Estate Planning

An estate plan is more than a will. For seniors and their families in Spring Hill and Brooksville, our estate planning attorneys prepare a comprehensive plan that typically includes the following.

Last Will and Testament ensuring your assets pass to the people you choose
Revocable Living Trust to avoid probate and keep flexible control during your lifetime
Durable Power of Attorney naming a trusted person to manage your financial and legal affairs if you become incapacitated
Healthcare Surrogate Designation naming someone to make medical decisions on your behalf
Living Will and Advance Directive documenting your wishes about life-sustaining treatment
Lady Bird Deed (Enhanced Life Estate Deed), a Florida-specific tool that passes real estate directly to heirs while preserving Medicaid eligibility

We design estate plans that work in concert with Medicaid planning so your estate does not inadvertently disqualify you from benefits you need

Probate

When a loved one passes away, their estate may need to go through Florida's probate process. Hernando County probate and guardianship matters are handled by the 5th Judicial Circuit of Florida. Our probate attorneys are well-versed in the circuit's procedures and can handle formal or summary administration, represent personal representatives, resolve creditor claims, and work to minimize costs and timelines.

Summary Administration may be available if the decedent has been deceased for more than two years or if the total value of non-exempt assets is less than $75,000. Because protected homestead property is excluded from this limit, many estates involving Spring Hill or Brooksville homes still qualify for this faster, less costly process.

Guardianship

When a senior can no longer make safe decisions due to dementia, a stroke, or a serious illness, a Florida court can appoint a legal guardian. Our guardianship attorneys are knowledgeable about Hernando County court procedures and help families determine whether guardianship is necessary, file petitions, navigate the process, and protect the ward's interests throughout.

Special Needs Planning

A Special Needs Trust (SNT) allows you to leave assets to a family member with a disability without jeopardizing their eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, and other government benefits. We help Hernando County families structure SNTs and broader special needs plans that protect a vulnerable loved one's long-term security.

Hernando County Probate and Guardianship Court

Circuit	5th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Main Courthouse	20 N. Main Street, Brooksville, FL 34601
Spring Hill Branch	7405 Forest Oaks Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34606
Probate Clerk Phone	(352) 754-4201
Probate Email	hernandoprobate@circuit5.org
Hours	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

All probate and guardianship matters for Hernando County are handled by the 5th Judicial Circuit. The Clerk of Court's main office in Brooksville handles official correspondence, while the Spring Hill branch on Forest Oaks Boulevard provides convenient access for residents in the county's largest community. Our elder law team is well-versed in the circuit's filing requirements and case completion timelines.

Getting to Our Nearest Office from Hernando County

Appointments for Hernando County clients are held at 12511 Spring Hill Dr, Spring Hill, FL 34609, by arrangement. Phone and video consultations are also available and are a convenient option for clients throughout the county who prefer not to travel.

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From Brooksville

Take US-19 South (Commercial Way) approximately 11 miles into Spring Hill. Turn left onto Spring Hill Drive. The office will be on the right. Allow approximately 20 to 25 minutes from the Brooksville Courthouse.

From Weeki Wachee and Northern Spring Hill

Head south on US-19 (Cortez Blvd) into Spring Hill and turn onto Spring Hill Drive heading east. Allow approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

From Hudson and New Port Richey

Take US-19 North from Hudson or New Port Richey into Spring Hill and turn onto Spring Hill Drive. Allow approximately 20 to 25 minutes.

From Tampa and Land O Lakes

Take I-75 North and follow SR-50 West toward Spring Hill, then turn onto Spring Hill Drive. Alternatively, take US-41 North to US-19 and head north into Spring Hill. Allow approximately 45 to 55 minutes without traffic.

Parking is available on-site at the Spring Hill location. Please call ahead or schedule online to arrange your appointment before visiting.

Senior Care Facilities Near Spring Hill and Brooksville

Families often need a reference point when a loved one needs care. The facilities below serve Hernando County. Before committing to any facility, verify current ratings and inspection reports through the AHCA Florida Health Finder facility search, and consider visiting in person.

Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation

Evergreen Woods Health and Rehabilitation Center‍

7045 _EvergreenWoods Trail, Spring Hill, FL 34608. A 116-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility offering long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, and specialty care for Hernando County seniors.

Spring Hill Health and Rehabilitation Center

12170 Cortez Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34613. A 120-bed skilled nursing community in northern Spring Hill, accepting Medicare and Medicaid.

Northbrook Health and Rehabilitation Center

Brooksville, FL. A 120-bed facility accepting private pay, Medicare, and Medicaid, providing skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and long-term care.

Heron Pointe Health and Rehabilitation

1445 Howell Ave, Brooksville, FL 34601. Located near the Brooksville Courthouse, serving both short-term and long-term skilled nursing needs.

Brooksville Healthcare Center

1114 Chatman Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34601. A nonprofit skilled nursing and therapy facility providing memory care and long-term care in a community setting.

Assisted Living and Memory Care

The Residence at Timber Pines

3140 Forest Rd, Spring Hill, FL 34606. Assisted living and memory care with personalized care plans and a full activities calendar.

Crown Pointe of Spring Hill

11291 County Line Rd, Spring Hill, FL 34609. Assisted living and memory care with full-time nursing, 24-hour security, and daily programming for up to 58 residents.

Tangerine Cove of Brooksville

725 DeSoto Ave, Brooksville, FL 34601. A 170-resident assisted living and Alzheimer's care community with walking trails and 24-hour staff.

Facility information is provided for reference only. Elder Needs Law does not endorse and has no financial relationship with the facilities listed. We recommend that families visit in person and review state inspection reports through AHCA before making any care decision.

Hernando County Elder Law and Medicaid Planning Attorney