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For so many families, the thought of estate planning and acknowledging the inevitable is scary and unpalatable. No one wants to consider a future without their loved one and they often put it off until the last possible moment. However, that approach usually leads to tough decisions that need to be made in the most difficult emotion moments, which is [...]

You might have heard the term, but you have been afraid to ask the question “What does the right of survivorship mean?” Well, in this article, we are going to discuss the question “What does the right of survivorship mean?” and we will go a step further to inform you about how the right of survivorship can help immensely with [...]

You may have heard the term “ancillary probate,” but don’t know what it means.  So, if you need an answer to the question, “what is ancillary probate?” this is the blog for you. In this article, we are going to answer typical client questions about ancillary probate, and why it is something that you typically would like to avoid.  If, [...]

“Trust takes years to build, seconds to break.” When a loved one creates a trust, he or she names a person to serve as “trustee” (sometimes called a “trust representative,” or “trustee representative”).  That person has the responsibility to administer the trust according to the rules created for the trust, and to protect the beneficiaries of the trust.  In fact, [...]

“If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else.” – Yogi Berra. Yogi Berra was not only a great ballplayer, but some of the most clever, confusing-yet-still-true quotes are attributed to him. And the above quote, with all of its folksy charm, says it all when it comes to probate matters and estate planning. That is to [...]

It’s in the name “irrevocable” trusts are, not surprisingly, irrevocable.  That is, they cannot be normally changed or amended.  So, when asking the question “can you change beneficiaries in an irrevocable trust?” the answer is generally “no” you normally cannot change the aspects of an irrevocable trust, like changing beneficiaries.  However, as with many things, there are always certain exceptions.

It’s a new year, and that means that you need to start thinking about doing your 2020 tax return.  It has been a tough year economically all around, so any help with regard to deductions, credits, and exemptions are more than welcome.  Well, there is one very powerful tool available to you that can reduce your tax burden if you [...]

He was not old by any stretch.  He was only 55 years old.  Yet, because of a rare condition, he passed away unexpectedly.  When it came to estate planning, he was always going to “get around to it,” but he never actually sat down to create a last will and testament, or to speak with an estate planning firm about [...]

As the year draws to a close, you might find yourself more focused on the future.  You might consider how you would like your assets to be distributed to your loved ones as you build your nest egg.  There are, however, a number of rules in Florida law that dictate how you need to express your wishes in a last [...]