Author Archives: Site Administrator
Why is probate administration important?
Virtually everyone has heard about and fretted over the word “probate.” Probate, the court supervised gathering and distribution of a deceased person’s assets, has gotten a bad reputation in Florida and in other states because of the administrative hoops loved ones must jump through. While there are certainly formal requirements, the process of probate… Read More »
Florida Case Driving New Estate Planning Trend
Like anything else, estate planning in Florida is in a constant state of evolution. Those involved in the process are constantly striving to make the administration of a loved one’s estate better. As a result, new methods for estate planning are popping up around the country. Driven by new taxes, changes to preexisting laws,… Read More »
Detailed estate planning vital for second-home owners in Florida
With its year round sun and countless activities, Florida is an ideal location for a second home. While many people choose to spend winters in its warmer temperatures, many never permanently move from their homes further north. As a result, Florida is not their “domicile” when they pass away. Accordingly, heirs will file probate… Read More »
Florida Supreme Court Rules Against Do-It-Yourself Will
The Florida Supreme Court issued a recent opinion which could potentially impact anyone opting for a do-it-yourself will downloaded from the internet. The underlying case revolved around a woman who used an online form to draft her will. Unfortunately, the will did not include a residuary clause, or catch-all, to dispose of property not… Read More »
Florida’s young professionals encouraged to begin estate planning
Drafting a will is not viewed as a young person’s game. Rather, estate planning is more often associated with gray-haired individuals determining how they want a life-time’s worth of assets to be divided up amongst their family and favorite charities. Locally, however, there has been a push to encourage Florida’s young professionals to erect… Read More »
Will contests disrupt Florida families
The story is horrifying and yet not altogether uncommon in Florida. An individual seeks out professional help to create an estate plan. Given the number of potential heirs and the assets at stake, the individual specifically sets out to prevent a future court battle between their kids. Despite all efforts, however, after the individual… Read More »
Radio legend’s passing teaches several estate planning lessons
Generations of people in Lee County grew up listening to radio host Casey Kasem deliver the latest and greatest in pop music. Out of the public spotlight for years after his retirement, Kasem reappeared in the news suddenly these past weeks as a bizarre family dispute played out between his wife and his adult… Read More »
Things for Florida parents to consider when drafting a will
Drafting a will is often seen as an older person’s chore, not something those in their 20’s or even 30’s need to worry about. This myth is built around the logic that not only do young people have a long time to live, but also because of the common reality that younger adults do… Read More »
Majority of Florida residents fear probate litigation
According to recent reports, the majority of Florida residents fear the probate process. If a layperson only knows one thing about estate planning, it is often to stay as far away from probate as possible. This mindset is not altogether surprising. Probate involves numerous and often complex statutes which can directly affect the administration… Read More »
Florida billionaire’s estate plan may be good for football fans
Football fans in Tampa Bay and across the NFL are mourning the loss of owner Malcolm Glazer. The long-time owner of the local Florida franchise died recently, spurring media members to recount the Buccaneers’ years under Glazer’s regime. At the same time, however, his death gave rise to questions over the future of the… Read More »
