Tag Archives: Estate administration
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 »
Singer’s estate fights for rights almost 30 years after his death
Much of estate planning is concerned with wrapping up one’s affairs. Florida residents who execute their wills or create other estate planning documents are thinking about passing their assets on to the next generation. However, sometimes these assets are things that will continue to gather value for many years to come. Sometimes estate administration… 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 »
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 »
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 »
Undiscovered assets may complicate estate administration
Sometimes one of the most difficult aspects of estate administration is finding all of the assets that should be included. A recent case involving a former Florida resident is an excellent example of such estate complexities. The woman is seeking a payout of a life insurance policy owned by her deceased mother who passed… Read More »
Heirs find family keepsakes more valuable than money
Contrary to popular belief, the most valuable assets left by the aging parents of baby boomers may not be monetary assets but instead can be meaningful family keepsakes. Unfortunately, though, unless family members talk about these special mementos before they become an inheritance, expectations and misunderstandings could lead to family conflicts. With that in… Read More »
