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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 […]
Why Do People Contest Wills?
Ideally, wills are well-written, well-planned and legally binding documents that divide a decedent’s estate among heirs and beneficiaries. In some cases, however, a problem with the will’s creation or contents can make it invalid or cause disagreement about the decedent’s intentions. When this happens, an heir or people who had been named as a beneficiary under a […]
Does Florida Law Allow Parents to Disinherit Their Children?
While many people create a will to ensure that their property passes to their children, not all families wish to do so. Under Florida law, it is possible to prevent a child or anyone else from inheriting property or assets from your estate. Traditionally, people have tried to find creative solutions to make sure that […]
When Is The Right Time to Create or Update Your Estate Plan?
If you do not have a comprehensive estate plan in place, you should consider creating one immediately. The truth is that we never know how long we have left. Even if you create an estate plan decades before you actually need it, you immediately gain the comfort of knowing that your family will be taken […]
The Importance of Having a Will Even if You Have Trusts
Everyone needs a will, regardless of how large or complex their estate is. Whether you are just getting by, or you have a detailed portfolio of real estate and business holdings, a valid and up-to-date will must be part of your estate plan. Many people with sophisticated investments and assets already make use of a […]
New Law Allows Floridians to Choose Who Handles Their Digital Assets After Death
Florida recently enacted a law that will allow families to access the digital assets of a loved one after they die or become incapacitated. This law, known as the Florida Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act, will allow a person to designate one or more people — family members, friends or an attorney — to […]
Americans Are Against the Estate Tax, But Do They Understand It?
A recent Gallup poll about tax reform asked Americans a variety of questions about proposed changes to a tax system that many see as outdated. One of the most interesting results came in response to a question about eliminating the estate tax. A full 54 percent of those polled were in favor of eliminating the […]
Include Funeral Plans in Your Estate Planning Efforts
As you go through your estate planning processes, you should make early plans for your funeral as well to help ease the burden you place on your estate executor. It might not be the most pleasant process, but planning for your funeral can make matters significantly less stressful for your loved ones after your death. […]
Factors to Consider When Estate Planning for a Loved One with Special Needs
Estate planning for a loved one with special needs can be a complex and daunting process. You need to make sure the plan is flexible enough to account for any unknown circumstances that could arise, but also that it is customized to fit the needs of your loved one. The following are a few tips […]
What Happens if a Will’s Beneficiary has Died?
People who create wills typically designate beneficiaries whom they want to receive certain assets. But if the beneficiary has already died, there could be some complications when it comes to the distribution of assets. First, the executor of the will should check the document for alternate beneficiaries, often referred to as contingent beneficiaries. If the […]