Tag Archives: Estate planning
Providing for a disabled heir with a special needs trust
Many Florida residents beginning the estate planning process have questions about how to provide for a family member with a physical or mental disability. If the disabled individual is receiving benefits from need-based government programs like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income, a large bequest in a will or trust could end up disqualifying him… Read More »
Fort Myers’ Residents Seeking Streamlined Estate Planning Ideas
Locally, Fort Myers and Lee County residents maintain some of the most dynamic and active lifestyles in the country. From schooling to working to enjoying retirement and all the family, friends and activities in between, Floridians have little spare time. As a result, they often eschew things like proper estate planning. Despite this blog’s… Read More »
Some key differences between wills and trusts
The differences between wills and trusts are numerous and depending upon your situation, one might be more appropriate than the other. Wills and trusts also have a lot in common. At their core, both documents are simply estate planning tools in which you appoint a person to distribute your assets under certain terms and… Read More »
How often do I need to revisit my estate plan?
As this blog regularly reports, too many local Fort Myers and Lee County residents fail to engage in comprehensive estate planning. This risky strategy exposes their wealth to the whims of family and friends, along with state and federal regulations. Nevertheless, many of them cite the inability to account for contingencies as a reason… Read More »
Lee County residents advised to add estate planning as resolution
It’s that time of year when we roll our eyes at the urging to adopt this resolution or that for the new year. While a new diet or workout routine may seem like a daunting 2015 exercise, there are other more simple resolutions you can make to get the momentum going. For many Fort… Read More »
Some things women should keep in mind when estate planning
A recent article published here in Fort Myers suggests that many women suffer from what one study terms “Bag Lady Syndrome.” As ominous as it may sound, the condition is nothing more than a fear of losing their financial independence. Of those suffering from Bag Lady Syndrome, over 60 percent were the primary earner… Read More »
Florida residents can take a few steps to enact an estate plan
Estate planning is often viewed as a myriad of confusing forms, trusts, regulations and difficult decisions. In reality, most estate planning can be done with a few, mostly painless, steps. By knocking out some of the more fundamental exposure areas, local Lee County residents can set up a plan that surpasses that of many… Read More »
Should Fort Myers residents opt for a will or a trust?
Local residents want to know whether they should have a trust carry out their wishes after they are gone. They then want to know whether this step could do away with their wills. Despite the common nature of such questions, many Lee County residents are still wondering which direction is best for them. The… Read More »
Importance of estate planning highlighted in veteran’s dilemma
Some people are questioning what happened after a distinguished World War II veteran was removed from his home and placed in a nursing home by a court-appointed conservator. According to reports, the 96-year-old man was unnecessarily forced to move out of his home which has since drained his life-savings in nursing home expenses. Friends… Read More »
New study highlights Floridians motivations for estate planning
Estate planning is extremely important for Floridians. A new study from industry leaders has honed in on the top three reasons people engage in estate planning. The number one reason surveyed was the desire to avoid probate. The next two reasons cited for an individual’s decision to undertake estate planning were to prevent discord… Read More »
