Recent Blog Posts
Dealing with Scammers Who Prey Upon Florida’s Senior Citizens
One goal of estate planning is to protect yourself during your lifetime from potential scams and financial abuse. Florida is well-known as a haven for the elderly. Unfortunately, this also makes Florida a magnet for unscrupulous individuals who try and take advantage of the elderly. FL Attorney General Sues Broward Couple Over Sales of… Read More »
Why Do I Need a Pour-Over Will if I Have a Florida Trust?
You often hear estate planning lawyers–including us–talk about the benefits of using a revocable living trust. The main advantage is that any assets placed in your trust do not need to go through the probate process. That is to say, those assets do not pass under your will, but rather are subject to the… Read More »
Can Your Florida Estate Collect Any Refunds Owed to You?
In preparing your Florida estate plan, it is generally a good idea to make a list of all the assets you presently own. This can make it easier when figuring out how to divide your property among your chosen beneficiaries. It can also give you a rough idea of how big your estate will… Read More »
Do You Need to Revise Your Beneficiary Designations After a Divorce?
You may not realize it, but you may own assets that do not pass as part of your regular Florida estate plan. A common example of this is an intangible asset, such as a retirement account or life insurance policy, where you previously signed a “designation of beneficiary” form. Such designations override the instructions… Read More »
5 Legal Duties of a Trustee in Florida
What exactly does a trustee do? This is a question we frequently get when advising clients on creating a revocable living trust. The short answer is that the trustee is the person responsible for managing the trust’s assets. The longer answer is that the trustee is charged with carrying out several legal duties outlined… Read More »
How Can a “Lady Bird Deed” Help My Florida Estate Planning?
There are a number of estate planning options available to Florida residents who want to transfer their assets without the need for an extended formal probate proceeding. One such option is something commonly referronableed to as a “Lady Bird Deed.” This is a special type of life estate deed that allows you to transfer… Read More »
Apollo 11 Hero Buzz Aldrin Sues to Regain Control of Florida Trust
Children often feel an obligation to help care for an elderly parent during their final years. Unfortunately, there are also situations where children may try and take advantage of a parent for their own financial gain. This is why careful estate planning is so important. As the parent, you want to maintain your dignity… Read More »
Should I Name Co-Executors for My Florida Will?
One of the first decisions you need to make when preparing a Florida will is selecting the person you wish to serve as personal representative or executor. In many cases this is not a difficult decision. Most married persons name their spouse or a child. But what if you are unsure about who to… Read More »
What “Snowbirds” Need to Know About Florida Estate Planning
Florida has always been a welcome refuge for people looking to escape the harsh winters of colder climates. Indeed, it is common practice for many of these “snowbirds” to buy and maintain a second residence in Florida. If you are one of these people, you need to be aware of how owning real property… Read More »
How Beneficiary Designations Impact Your Florida Estate Plan
There are many aspects of Florida estate planning that go beyond making a will. In fact, you may not realize it but there are some assets that do not pass under your will at all–even if you do not have a separate trust. If you have a retirement account or life insurance policy, for… Read More »
