Recent Blog Posts
Proper execution of a will is not automatic in Florida
When someone dies, the distribution of their assets is determined by local laws. Here in Florida, the distribution of assets is first decided by the person’s will, also known as a last will and testament. In its most basic form, this document is nothing more than a recitation of a person’s desires when it… Read More »
Florida Judge experienced at preventing undue influence
Broward Circuit Judge Mel Grossman certainly has some interesting stories to tell after 36 years as a Florida judge. From cases involving well known entertainers to notorious motorcycle gangs, the judge knows how litigation can stir emotions. His proudest achievement, though, is shaping the local probate court, which has become a federally recognized model… Read More »
Florida estate planning nightmares
Despite the stakes, many local Florida residents are surprisingly hands-off about what will happen to their assets after they die. Often times, when these individuals finally decide they want to direct their inheritance, they are too weak or disabled to fully engage in effective estate planning. While default laws are meant to assume the… Read More »
Florida courts help heirs through estate administration
This blog regularly reports on the difference between a will and a trust. The most commonly cited difference is that trusts are private documents which can be administered, generally, without court supervision. Wills on the other hand must go through a probate process that is overseen by Florida courts. After decades of guiding heirs… Read More »
Robin Williams’ Estate Planning Provides Lessons for Floridians
If there is a silver lining to tragic celebrity deaths it is the massive amount of media attention which can shed light on issues we often choose to ignore. From Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s substance abuse to Robin Williams’ depression, public tragedies may allow us to recognize challenges faced by loved ones and jump start… Read More »
Florida judge grants gay widower probate litigation win
A Palm Beach judge recently ruled against Florida’s gay marriage ban by allowing a man to serve as the personal representative of his husband’s estate. The Pennsylvania couple had been together for 37 years before marrying in Delaware in 2013. In 2008, they decided to buy a South Florida home. For financial reasons, only… Read More »
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 »
