As the administrator of an estate in Florida, you probably know that you have a responsibility to distribute assets to beneficiaries upon the death of the testator. However, while this is important, there is a responsibility that takes precedence. Before you can...
Estate Planning
What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a will?
Whether you find yourself nearing the end of your life or you simply wish to lay down safeguards in case of unpredictable circumstances, a last will and testament is a good way to invest in the future of your family by ensuring your assets go to the right people after...
What are the benefits of probate?
People like to moan and groan about the probate process, but that is often because they do not understand it. Probate is not designed to be this horrible thing you have to go through when a relative dies. In fact, the main goal of the process is to benefit everyone by...
Should you consider a generation-skipping trust?
If you are a well-to-do Florida resident, you likely have become so through hard work and responsible financial decision making. You also likely have made every attempt to pass on those values to your children. But what if those lessons did not take as well as you...
Using trusts as part of a retirement plan
When Floridians plan for retirement, the focus tends to be on 401(k)s, IRA accounts and annuities. What about trusts? While many people plan for a long life after retiring from the workforce, not nearly enough put plans in place for what happens to their assets — and...
The problem of dying with too much money
Few people want to talk about what preparations they have in place for their survivors after they pass away. When the topic does come up in Florida, dying with too much money in the bank is the last thing people are concerned about. Floridians are usually more...
The benefits of revocable trusts
There are several different tools that can be a part of an effective estate plan. While a revocable trust is not at the very top of the estate planning list, it can be extremely useful for certain families. Also known as a living trust, these trusts are known for...
Celebrity estate planning mistakes and what they’ve taught us
Whenever a celebrity passes away, settling the estate can be a complex process. But when they fail to plan for their death by creating a will, trust or estate plan, the consequences for their family and other beneficiaries can be severe. A drawn-out probate process...
The importance of a proper appraisal for your estate
Estate planning has several complicated steps. Completing all of them correctly is crucial to making a legally enforceable estate plan. One step that you should not neglect is evaluating your assets. You should conduct a proper, legally sound appraisal. Failing to do...
What are the benefits of a power of attorney in your estate plan?
There are multiple power of attorney options that leverage authority over your assets in varying ways. Here are a variety of power of attorney types and some of the ways that each one can be a useful element in your overall estate plan. One benefit common to all types...
