Not uncommonly, we have prospective clients come into the office after a loved one has died. Their request is often simple...for example:"I need a deed to put Mom's house into my name. Her Will says I'm supposed to get it. Can you prepare that deed for me?"...
Complex Legal Challenges
Estate Planning
Avoiders, Do-it-laterers, Around-to-iters, Out-of-sight, Out-of-minderers, and Other Procrastinators!
As an estate planning law firm, we advise and counsel clients, and establish and implement a plans in order to protect individuals, families, and businesses in the event of illness, incapacity, disruption from the unexpected, and death. Who needs this advice, planning...
Excuses…Excuses…Reasons people give for not having their estate plan in order.
In 30-plus years of law practice, I won't say I've heard every excuse but I've sure heard my share. So I thought it might be interesting to share some of these excuses and my thoughts in response to them. "I'm superstitious. I'm afraid that if I do my estate plan,...
Life Insurance and a Living Trust
With a life insurance policy, the owner can designate beneficiaries, and at the death of the owner, the policy pays the death benefits directly to the designated beneficiaries. The benefits are paid in accordance with the contractual terms of the policy. So long as a...
Florida Homestead Protection of Spouse and Minor Children
In Florida, a person's homestead is their principal place of residence and as homestead, the property has certain benefits and protections. These include: (1) exemption for creditor claims; (2) exemption from certain real estate taxes; and (3) protection of spouse and...
In Florida, what do we mean by the term “Homestead?”
We often have clients come into the office to discuss their estate planning. Not uncommonly, the term "homestead" will come up and after some discussion, it becomes clear that there is confusion on use of the term. One of the reasons for this confusion is that, from a...
Estate Planning: The Three P’s
The term "Estate planning" conjures up a lot of misimpression. It's not uncommon for people to say "I'm not rich like Bill Gates, so why do I need estate planning?" or "I'm young and in good health, so why do I need estate planning?" The fact is, you don't have to be...
What happens when spouses die simultaneously?
Although it is unthinkable, imagine a scenario where husband and wife die at the same time. Even though it may seem unlikely, it happens. Just this past year our firm handled the probates of a husband and wife who were killed instantly in a car accident. When spouses...
How Do I “Fund” My Living Trust?
Having a Living Trust has a number of advantages. A person can set up the Trust so that their assets can by-pass probate. This saves on time and expense in the distribution of the person's assets. In addition, by not going through probate, the distribution is private...
Planning Paralysis: Don’t Let Indecision Tank Your Estate Planning
When you begin the estate planning process, certain decisions have to be made by you. As it comes to your beneficiaries, you have to decide who will receive your assets and in what amounts or percentages. When it comes to distributing your estate, you must decide who...