Author Archives: Phillip A. Baumann
How to Make an Estate Executor’s Job Easier
When you decide who will be the executor of your estate, it’s important that you provide that person with as much information and as many resources as possible to make the job go as smoothly as possible. The following are some strategies you can use so that your executor can be better prepared to carry […]
What if You Want to Split Your Estate Unequally for Your Heirs?
It’s a common issue faced by many people planning out their estates — they have multiple children of varying income levels, and want to be more generous to the child who makes less money than the others. Is it at all fair or a good idea to unequally divide the estate? First, you are allowed […]
How Living Trusts are Terminated
The biggest benefit of a living trust is that you, as the creator of the trust, maintain control over all of its assets until you pass away. But what happens after that? How is the trust finally closed? Terminating a living trust is a rather simple process. Your chosen trustee does not have to sign […]
Making Things Easier on Your Loved Ones After Your Passing
One of the top benefits of comprehensive estate planning is that you can make matters significantly less complicated on your loved ones after you pass away. Beyond simple creating an estate plan, however, there are a number of other steps you can take to ensure the process of administering your estate goes as smoothly as […]
Estate Planning Considerations for Snowbirds
Florida is a part-time home to a great many “snowbirds,” the term referring to retired people who “flock” from the northern United States on a seasonal basis to get away from harsh, snowy winters. There are a variety of benefits of being a snowbird beyond just better weather — for example, one could save a […]
Estate Planning and Vacation Homes
A vacation home is piece of property that can cause a lot of headaches for loved one if the owner suddenly passes away. This is especially true if the home has been in the family for many years. To that end, it’s it’s important to have it very clearly laid out in your estate plan […]
What Are the Requirements for Creating a Will in Florida?
A will can be a powerful document, determining exactly how your estate will be split among your heirs, charities or any other recipients that you choose. However, to ensure that your wishes are carried out, it is important that your will be valid. To create a legally binding will, you must be an adult of […]
What Types of Trusts Are Used in Florida Estate Planning?
Depending on what kind and how many assets you have and what you want to do with them once you are gone, your estate plan can be very simple or extraordinarily complex. In addition to recording your wishes in a will and putting money into joint accounts, you might choose to make use of trusts […]
What Are the Fiduciary Duties of a Florida Trustee?
Trusts are some of the most powerful tools in an estate plan. There are many types of trusts, but typically they work by allowing someone to transfer assets into the trust and then putting those assets to work to care for specific people or further a defined goal. In some ways, a trust functions like […]
Does Florida Require a Reading of the Will After Someone Dies?
We’ve all seen it done in movies and on television often enough that it has become part of our collective consciousness, but does a “reading of the will” ever really take place? Does an attorney really gather every one of the descendant’s relatives and friends from across the globe, bring them into a room full […]