Tag Archives: Fort Myers Estate Planning Lawyers
How Will My Trust or Estate Know What I Own?
Proper estate planning is not limited to making a will or trust. You also need to make sure the persons charged with administering that will or trust know how to locate all of your assets. At first glance, this might seem like a simple task. But considering how modern technology allows us to maintain… Read More »
What Are the Estate Planning Implications if My Spouse and I Die at the Same Time?
The recent death of former President George H.W. Bush came just seven months after the passing of his wife, former first lady Barbara Bush. It is actually not unusual for longtime spouses to die within months–or even days–of one another. In fact, doctors have even documented broken-heart syndrome, which is a “temporary heart condition… Read More »
What Are the Signs of Undue Influence?
One of the common reasons people contest a Florida will is undue influence. But what exactly does this mean? The Florida Supreme Court has broadly defined it as “overpersuasion, coercion, or force that destroys or hampers the free agency and will power of” the person making the will (who is known as the testator)…. Read More »
Should I Include Funeral Instructions in My Will?
An often overlooked area of estate planning is making funeral, burial, or cremation arrangements. Under Florida law, you have the right to leave written instructions on how you want to dispose of your remains, and your wishes are binding on your family. If for any reason you choose not to leave instructions, the law… Read More »
How Is a Florida Estate Distributed If There Is No Will?
There is no good reason not to have a will or trust. A good estate plan ensures your property is distributed according to your wishes after you pass away. But if for some reason you do not leave a will (or place your property into a trust), Florida law determines what happens to your… Read More »
4 Estate Planning Lessons We Can Learn from Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen
On October 15, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen passed away due to complications from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. At the time of his death, Allen was one of the wealthiest men in the world. His assets included two professional sports teams–the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers–and he was also a noted philanthropist. Although… Read More »
Can I Use a “No-Contest” Clause in My Florida Will or Trust?
One of the biggest reasons people make an estate plan is to minimize the potential for litigation among family members. You have no doubt seen stories in the news about heirs fighting for years in court over a loved one’s estate. In some of these cases they are not even fighting over a particularly… Read More »
What Is “Exempt Property,” and How Does It Affect My Florida Estate Planning?
There are a number of unusual legal terms you may come across when preparing your Florida estate plan. One of them is “exempt property.” This term appears in a specific Florida statute that is part of the state’s overall laws governing individual estates. So what does it mean? And is it something you need… Read More »
Do I Need to Include My Timeshare in My Will or Trust?
If you’re thinking about creating an estate plan, you probably know it’s important to make provisions for your house or condo. But your estate plan must cover all of your real property. For example, what about that timeshare you bought 15 years ago? Does that also need to be addressed in your will or… Read More »
A Delay in Naming a Personal Representative Can Prove Costly to an Estate in Court
An often overlooked reason for making a last will and testament is there may be a need to maintain litigation on behalf of you–or your estate–after you are gone. A common example is a wrongful death lawsuit. This is a special type of personal injury claim where your personal representative may sue one or… Read More »
