Author Archives: Site Administrator
Battles over family inheritance can be difficult
Many Florida residents have had the terrible experience of losing a loved one only to find out afterward that their inheritance has been lost or the loved one’s estate has been depleted through someone’s fraud or manipulation. To restore the estate, these Florida resident must then go to court with a will contest or… Read More »
Trustee watches over the trust, but who watches the trustee?
One of the most powerful tools available to Florida residents to provide for their loved ones after they are gone is a trust. A person who creates a trust, sometimes known as a settlor or grantor, places assets in the possession of a trustee, who maintains the trust property for the benefit of the… Read More »
White House ivory ban may affect estate administration
Recently, a White House official announced an initiative to ban all commercial trade of ivory. Long sought after for its beauty, elephant ivory has been under scrutiny in the United States for decades because of concerns over its collection. While such an initiative may seem like just another mundane action being taken in Washington,… Read More »
Tax consequences critical for estate administration in Florida
One of the biggest estate questions that family members have after losing a loved one is the extent of their tax liabilities. The media loves to report on the ever-changing estate tax environment. Often referred to as death taxes, this levy is often misunderstood. For instance, most estates do not owe any estate taxes…. Read More »
New Study On Trusts vs. Wills Enlightening For Florida Residents
Most Florida residents know that various documents have become an important part of the estate planning process. While wills continue to have a role, many locals see trusts as an effective way of avoiding the cumbersome probate process. Now, a new international study suggests that this American model is being followed overseas as well…. Read More »
Legislation proposed to end Florida counties’ cremation tax
One question that often arises in making estate planning decisions is whether a person prefers to be buried or cremated. In most Florida counties, there is a tax for cremation services, but a recently introduced bill aims to do away with that additional tax. The bill meant to eliminate the tax has been approved… Read More »
The estate planning process: What is probate?
Many people fear probate, but they aren’t sure what it is or how it works. In essence, probate is a name for a court process whereby a judge determines the validity of a will and chooses a person to be the executor of the estate administration process. In Florida, the probate process is complicated…. Read More »
Understanding the importance of updating beneficiary designations
Many Florida residents might have already created their estate plans and have all the documents signed off on. However, estate planners should keep in mind that as life changes, so should your plans for the future. One of the most common estate planning errors is neglecting to update beneficiary designations. For example, life events… Read More »
Dispute over Rauschenberg trust continues
The word “trustee” implies that someone designated with the title is a person whom you trust. In the context of estate administration, this trust is even more important. A trustee is appointed to attend to legal and financial affairs following a person’s death. But how do you prevent a trustee from overstepping his or… Read More »
Court battle over painting shows need for estate planning
Florida residents undoubtedly remember Farrah Fawcett. The star was mainly known for her acting roles, but a recent legal dispute has brought Fawcett’s name back into the spotlight. Fawcett passed away in 2009, but her long-time partner, Ryan O’Neal, has struggled to handle her estate. Two portraits of the actress were created by Andy… Read More »
