Estate Planning

Unlike nearly two-thirds of Americans, you have an estate plan. You created a will and understood the importance of periodically updating this important document. For the latest update, you focus on a few changes, including replacing your executor. Why? You have...

Making an estate plan is a terrific first step for anyone to take. But it’s problematic to assume that this is the final step. You don’t want to make that plan and then forget about it. It’s actually important to update it periodically. But how do you know when to...

One myth that you’ll often find people repeat about estate planning is simply that they are too young. This belief sometimes causes people to put off the exact estate planning that they need to do. It can happen to people of many different ages. For example, someone...

Every state has unique laws regarding the creation of estate planning documents. Florida is a retirement destination for thousands of older adults, which requires a bit more nuance regarding estate and probate law. For example, people in many states can add no-contest...

Maybe if you have a child with special needs, so you want to start a trust to support them when they move out and after you die. Perhaps you worry that you won't qualify for Medicaid when you get older or that your children will fight over your property. Whether your...

Your mother was always quite clear about her estate plan. She wanted you and your siblings to equally share in her property. Maybe you have previously seen her estate plan or will that reflected these wishes. However, after your mother's passing, one of your siblings...

Estate planning often involves more steps than someone realizes. Besides crafting all the relevant documents, the planning process has many minor details to focus on. Leaving things out of a will or health care proxy could create problems. Why make any trouble for...

When a Florida resident dies without an estate plan, the state will determine how that person's assets are distributed. This could mean that a spouse is left without enough to live on or that a charity or others the person hoped to leave assets to receive nothing....

When an estate is going through probate in Florida, there are a number of things that can slow the process. The biggest risk of probate is the fact that someone may file a lawsuit. This obviously adds quite a bit of time to the process and can slow the distribution of...

The use of beneficiary designations may help you ensure that your assets go to their intended recipients after passing on. However, if they are used on the wrong assets, these designations could undermine some or all of your estate plan. Avoiding probate isn't your...