Category Archives: Estate Planning
What Assets are Protected From Creditors in Florida?
An asset is anything that you own that has value. Your personal assets include everything from the money in your savings account to your home. One of the most important aspects of effective estate planning is protecting your assets from claims made by creditors. It is no secret: Creditors can be aggressive. To account… Read More »
An Overview of Estate Taxes in Florida (Your Guide for 2020)
One of the primary purposes of estate planning is to make sure that you are able to leave as much money, assets, and property as possible for the benefit of your loved ones. You worked hard for life savings. Most likely, you want to find a way to protect your assets from avoidable tax… Read More »
Five Common Mistakes in a Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Will
Every adult in Florida should have a valid, well-drafted will in place. If you have a relatively simple estate, you may be wondering: Can I draft my own will? The short answer is ‘yes’—you have the legal right to draft your own will. That being said, in far too many cases, people who write… Read More »
What is a Holographic Will and is it Valid in Florida?
As defined by Investopedia, a holographic will is a handwritten will that is simply signed by the testator. A testator is a legal term that refers to the person who makes the will. In some states, holographic wills are not valid. In other states, holographic wills can be valid—but only if specific criteria are… Read More »
Pet Trusts in Florida: What You Need to Know
Animals play an important role in many people’s lives. The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports that approximately 85 million American families own at least one pet. Whether it is a dog, cat, or more exotic animal, a pet can become a true member of the family. You may be wondering: Can my pet be… Read More »
Health Care Surrogacy Does Not Require Incapacity: Three Powers You Can Grant Your Surrogate
A health care surrogate is a trusted person who is given the authority to make medical decisions on behalf of another party. If you become incapacitated or otherwise unable to make your own decisions, a health care surrogate has the tools that they need to deal with medical issues on your behalf—making sure that… Read More »
What Does It Mean to have a Florida Domicile?
Your domicile is the state that you intend to make your permanent and primary home. There are significant benefits to establishing a domicile in Florida. For example, there is no state income tax, no capital gains tax, no estate tax, and there are additional asset protection laws. That being said, moving to Florida is… Read More »
Estate Planning: What Can I Do to Prepare for COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has brought much of the world to a halt. As of April 8th, the Florida Department of Health has already confirmed more than 16,000 cases in the state. Sadly, many more cases are expected to be confirmed in the coming days and weeks. During this time of overwhelming uncertainty many… Read More »
Estate Planning in Florida: What is a HIPAA Release Form?
Signed into law by President Clinton in the mid 1990s, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a complex federal law that regulates medical providers and health insurance companies. HIPAA provides some important legal protections for patients—with one of the most well known being its strict confidentiality provisions. Although HIPAA’s protection of… Read More »
What is the Statute of Limitations for Challenging a Trust Created By Undue Influence in Florida?
For many people, a trust is an effective, efficient estate planning tool. When everything goes right, a trust can avoid the probate process and assets can be distributed to the beneficiary without issue. Of course, there are some exceptions. For example, what happens if you find out that your vulnerable loved one was improperly… Read More »
