Recent Blog Posts
What Happens If You Fail to Respond to Divorce Papers in Florida
Were you served divorce papers in Florida? If so, you need to take immediate action to protect your rights. After being served with divorce papers, it is in your best interest to submit a response. To be clear, the failure to respond to divorce papers will not stop your marriage from ending — the… Read More »
Florida Estate Planning: What is an ABLE Account?
Under a federal law known as the ‘Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act’, an individual with disabilities has the option to save money on a tax-advantaged basis while also preserving their eligibility for important government programs — including for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and for Medicaid. If you have a child or a… Read More »
Four Estate Planning Tips for Florida Business Owners
Small and mid-sized businesses form the backbone of our state’s economy. According to data from the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC), there are more than 2 million business owners in the state — a business ownership rate that is 20 percent higher than the national average. Owning and operating a business can be… Read More »
Revocable Living Trusts: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A revocable living trust is one of the most popular and effective estate planning tools. Though, there are plenty of myths and misconceptions regarding exactly how these trusts work. Below, our Tampa, FL trust planning lawyers answer five of the most frequently asked questions regarding revocable living trusts. What is a Revocable Living Trust?… Read More »
Are Student Loans Marital Property in Florida?
If you are getting divorced in Tampa, FL, it is far more likely that student loans will be an issue in your case than it was in decades past. More and more people are carrying substantial student loan debt later and later in life. According to reporting from Forbes Magazine, Americans now have a… Read More »
Asset Protection in Florida: What is Long-Term Care Planning?
In their later years, many people require some form of assisted living care. The cost of obtaining assisted living services in Florida is extremely high: The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reports that the average cost of a private room in a nursing home is $7,698. For obvious reasons, few… Read More »
When Can I Get a Child Custody Modification in Florida?
Finalizing a child custody case can come as a great relief for parents — it is nice to have stability and a framework that you can rely on. Of course, things change. A custody agreement or custody order that was previously effective may simply no longer work very well for you and your family…. Read More »
What Happens If Someone Dies Without a Will in Florida?
If a person dies without a valid will in Florida, the distribution of their assets will be controlled by Florida’s intestate succession laws (Florida Statutes § 732.101). As a general rule, these laws require property to be passed on to a person’s ‘next-of-kin’. Though, determining who exactly should get what can sometimes be challenging…. Read More »
Debunking Three Myths About Power of Attorney in Florida
In the unfortunate event that you become incapacitated or otherwise unable to manage your own financial and legal affairs, it is crucial that you put a trusted person in the proper position to do so. Powers of attorney do just that — give legal authority to trusted parties. Under Florida law (Florida Power of… Read More »
Four Ways to Establish Paternity in Florida
Paternity matters. A father who wants shared custody rights must establish legal paternity. Likewise, a mother who wants to obtain child support payments must establish the father’s paternity. Without paternity, the alleged father of the child will not have legal rights or legal responsibilities. Proving paternity is an incredibly important step, that, depending on… Read More »
