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How Does Florida Homestead Law Relate to Estate Planning?
Homes are a significant part of most people’s estates and legal approaches used in estate planning are important for passing on a homestead. Florida Statutes contain guidelines related to homesteads that protect the rights of spouses, children and other descendants. Spouses have several legal rights to a homestead upon the death of their spouse: Life […]
What Dying Intestate Means and Why You Want to Avoid It
Dying intestate refers to dying without a will. Because no legal documents exist to administer the estate, the court abides by state intestacy laws and must appoint a representative to administer the estate, whom you have not chosen. When an individual dies intestate, Florida Intestate Succession statutes dictate which family members inherit assets and the […]
The Potential Sale of the Clippers from an Estate Planning Perspective
Recently, the media reported extensively about Donald Sterling, the Los Angeles Clipper owner whom the National Basketball Association (NBA) banned for life because of his alleged racist remarks. According to a CBS News release, the NBA Commissioner is pressuring Sterling to sell the Clippers. However, there are significant monetary factors involved with selling now: Sterling […]
Where There is a Will, There is a Way
Without a will, there is no way to direct and preserve the wealth you spent a lifetime to acquire. Yet, even as retirement approaches, some put off creating a will and estate plan. The quality of a will is only apparent when it is needed. Using boilerplate or form documents to create your will could […]
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Revising Your Estate Plan After Divorce
Divorce at any age causes a ripple of changes. Understanding and responding to those changes means updating your will and estate plan. Attending to your estate plan during and after a divorce is important to ensure your wealth is directed appropriately. Should you pass away during divorce proceedings without changing important documents, your will may […]
Making a Will: Information to Consider
Knowing the types of information needed to get started on your will helps you move forward with this important task. An effective estate plan protects you and your family. A will is an important part of your plan. You can get a head start on your will by gathering information on the following topics to […]
What Constitutes Undue Influence in Florida?
The validity of a will can be called into question if there is reason to believe someone exerted undue influence on the maker of the will. What is considered undue influence in Florida? The elderly and the ill are too often preyed upon by unscrupulous caregivers and family members. Undue influence is behavior, coercion or […]
What Can Happen When Your Loved Ones Don’t Know Where to Find Your Estate Planning Documents?
It’s common sense to let your loved ones know where you keep your will, living will and other vital estate planning documents. Despite careful and thorough estate planning, your attorney can run into barriers when administering your estate if they do not have your original documents in their possession. Forbes magazine published an article that […]
How the 2013 Supreme Court Ruling Affects Estate Taxes for Same-Sex Couples
Significant protections became available for same-sex married couples based on the July 2013 Supreme Court decision that struck down a key provision in the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). On August 29, 2013, the IRS and U.S. Department of the Treasury — in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling — announced that legally married same-sex […]