Joseph Karp |

The Karp Law Firm

Joseph Karp | The Karp Law Firm

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Firm Summary

Attorney Joseph Karp is among the few Florida attorneys who have earned a double certification in elder law. He has been practicing Elder Law in Florida since 1988, and has advised and assisted thousands of families on matters including estate planning, long-term asset protection, Medicaid planning, Veterans benefits, and probate and trust administration.

Mr. Karp has been guest speaker for numerous professional, civic, and social organizations, including the Palm Beach-Martin County Estate Planning Council; the International Association of Financial Planners; Vietnam Veterans of America; the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County chapters of the Florida Paralegal Association; Military Officers Association of America; the Palm Beach County Attorney’s Office; the Alzheimer’s Alliance Educational Conference; New York City Council of School Supervisors and Administrators; New England Financial Life; and the Society of Former FBI Agents.

How I Help
I founded this firm around creating relationships focused on helping clients protect their families and their assets. I think that one factor that differentiates our firm is that we treat clients like we would a friend or family member. We take the time to learn about our clients and their families. Developing a trusting and respectful relationship with each client is key to successfully helping them. It is also personally meaningful to me, coming as I do from a very large, mutually supportive and close-knit family.

Our firm’s values are centered first and foremost around respect for clients, and providing them with the education about their matters so that they can make the decisions that are right for them. We are cognizant that life-planning and estate plans are not made in a vacuum, but instead made around the individuals and families who will be directly affected. The best outcomes for clients are those that accomplish their objectives in the most cost-effective manner, and the manner that is the easiest to administer.

What Prospective Clients Should Know
With the high cost of nursing home care and the increase in lifespan, seniors are increasingly concerned about how not to lose their life savings to nursing homes. We can often help in this area. It is best that seniors who have these concerns come to us as soon as possible, as there are extended “waiting” periods that are applicable in order to best preserve assets. Nonetheless, we are also able to help clients even after they have entered a nursing home.

With respect to estate planning, we offer a free consultation every three years so that clients can meet with us to review any significant life events that may trigger a need to update estate plans. We know that many aspects may change – marriage, divorce, new children (or step-children), the need for nursing home care – and we want to make sure that our clients’ estate plans accurately reflect the current situation in their lives.

Not only do we help clients in Medicaid, estate planning, and related matters, we also become the long-term legal counselors in a wide range of legal matters. When clients need legal counsel outside of the areas in which we practice, we can help them find the right lawyer for their needs.

Community Involvement
Member of Advisory Council, 2012-2014, Alzheimer’s Association -Southeast Florida Chapter. (Board of Directors, 2004-2012).

Charities & Civic Causes
The Karp Law Firm has contributed time and money to numerous local civic causes, including the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Race for the Cure, the WPTV Food For Families Campaign, and the Palm Beach County Special Olympics. In 2013 The Karp Law Firm was named the Palm Beach County Special Olympics “Volunteer Group of the Year.”

Recognitions
AVVO rated 10.0 of 10.0 (superb)
Florida SuperLawyer, Thomson-Reuters, 2009-2023
Florida Trend Legal Elite, 2008 – 2023
Martindale Hubbell AV rated, the highest ranking for professional expertise and ethical conduct
Past President and Charter Member, American Association of Trust, Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorneys

Memberships
Member, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
Member, Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys
Palm Beach County Bar Association
Member, Florida Bar Elder Law Section, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
Past President and Charter Member, American Association of Trust, Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorneys