Estate Planning

It can be difficult to imagine that you would be unable to speak for yourself because of an incapacitating illness or injury. However, that situation can happen to any of us. It often happens as we age, but it can also happen when we are young and healthy. Talking with a Read more . . .

Perhaps the most critical decision during estate planning is naming the person who will administer your trust when you are unable to do so. Selecting a trustee requires thoughtful consideration and early decision making. It is advisable you seek guidance from experienced Florida estate planning attorneys when choosing your estate trustee.
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Probate is the legal process of finalizing a person’s finances and property after death. Through probate, legal debts are paid and property is distributed to heirs. Titles to assets are legally transferred by the personal representative to heirs and filed with the appropriate government offices.

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Recent legislation addresses retirement issues and makes it possible for people to save more for retirement. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act created reforms to the retirement system. Advocates tout the SECURE Act as one of the most ground-breaking new retirement savings laws in over a decade. Learn Read more . . .

As most of us know, an estate plan is essential to ensuring that your wishes are carried out when you are incapacitated or upon your death. Much of this determination is related to your physical assets. However, as technology continues to become more ingrained in our lives, it is now more important than ever to take your digital life into account when planning. Your Read more . . .

Even with a long history of case law, estate planning can sometimes seem overwhelming for people. That’s why it isn’t hard to understand why estate planning for same-sex couples may also prove complex – regardless of whether or not you are married. Luckily, with the help of a Florida estate planning attorney with experience in estate planning for the LGBTQ community, it can be made much easier. 

Rights of Same-Sex Couples Upheld

Prior to 2015 when the U.S.
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Any time you interact with the public, you are susceptible to a lawsuit. That is why no matter which industry you work in, you are always exposed. However, there are certain industries that are inherently more susceptible to lawsuits than others. This group often contains people with careers in medicine, law, and finance. These individuals are at a much greater risk.
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The death of a parent can be devastating. But while you are working through the emotions of this new chapter in your life, the last thing that you feel like doing is dealing with the confusion of their estate – especially if it goes to probate.

Probate is a legal process that settles an individual’s estate by a court-appointed executor. Probate can prove to be a lengthy and expensive process, sometimes even lasting years at a time. 

Can you avoid probate?

If an executor can prove that all of your parent’s debts have been paid by their estate and there are no significant debts that remain, probate may possibly be avoidable.
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When someone passes away, they often leave many of their assets to family members and close friends. Unfortunately, they also often leave debts and other obligations. How is this handled?

Probate is the legal process used for identifying the assets of a specific decedent’s estate and then using those to pay debts or obligations that are still owed at the time of death. Once these have been paid out, the remaining assets are distributed to the beneficiaries of the deceased’s will, or if they die without a valid will (intestate), then in accordance with Florida’s laws. 

Opening the Estate in Florida Probate

The process of Probate begins when either the representative named in the deceased’s will or one of its beneficiaries notifies the court that there is a need to open and process the estate.
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Estate planning is a process that involves the legal structuring of the disposition of one's assets. All couples, whether married or unmarried, should participate in the estate planning process. In fact, estate planning is particularly important for unmarried couples, as they have less legal protection than married couples.
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The probate process in Florida can be extremely complicated. In fact, probate can be a source of great confusion and frustration for those who are unfamiliar with its intricacies. In order to help you understand how probate in Florida works, below are answers to some common probate questions.  

What is probate?

Probate is the process by which a court identifies and gathers the assets of a deceased individual, uses such assets to pay his or her debts, and distributes remaining assets to beneficiaries of the decedent. Probate resolves a decedent’s financial affairs and ensures that his or her beneficiaries inherit assets that they are entitled to.
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