South Florida Estate Planning News
Recent Posts and Articles
Probate Nightmares
Come join me at the Broward County Library for my presentation on probate nightmares. You will learn how to protect your money, your loved ones, and yourself by planning ahead and avoiding stressful, costly struggles with probate. I use celebrities as examples and it is a fun and informative hour.…
Read MoreWhat to do After a Loved One Dies
Navigating Grief and Responsibility: A Checklist for New Personal Representatives
Losing a loved one is tough, and if you’ve been named as the Personal Representative of their estate, the responsibilities can feel overwhelming. It’s crucial to take care of yourself while managing these tasks. We’ve put together a checklist to help you navigate this challenging time and make your visit to an attorney’s office smoother. Remember, some of these tasks have deadlines, so it’s important to act sooner rather than later.
Read MoreHoliday Recommendations for Family Harmony
If your goal is family harmony, it could be a huge blunder to fail to consider the emotional ties children may have to their parent’s possessions.
Read MoreHow Does The Probate Process Work In Florida?
If you have lost a loved one in Florida, it’s important to understand how the probate process works. Probate is the legal process of identifying and gathering the assets of a deceased person and then transferring assets to their beneficiaries. If someone dies intestate, without a will, their things will…
Read MoreWhat Is A Personal Representative And How Should I Choose One?
If you’re working on your estate plan, one of the most important steps is determining who will be the Personal Representative (Executor) of your estate. It’s an important choice – maybe you’ve read stories of some Personal Representatives behaving badly and wish to avoid that. You don’t want to make…
Read MoreWhat Happens If You Die Without A Will In Florida?
In Florida, if a person dies without a will, their property will then pass on to their nearest relatives through the Florida intestate laws. These laws outline a strict formula that judges use to distribute the assets of the deceased to their family members. This is done to help avoid…
Read MoreResponsibilities of Successor Trustees
Many people becoming trustees for the first time have asked questions such as “What is a trust?” or “What taxes must I pay as a trustee?” or “Am I required to file annual reports with a court?” Most people have had little experience with trusts.
Read MoreDiscovery of Aretha Franklin’s Handwritten Wills Throws Her Estate Into Turmoil
Legendary singer Aretha Franklin was thought to have died without a will, but the recent discovery of handwritten documents in her home is calling that into question. A representative of her estate has asked a Michigan probate court to determine if any of the documents could be considered a valid…
Read MoreSo, You’ve Been Appointed Trustee of a Trust? Here Are 9 Do’s and 1 Don’t
Whether it’s an honor or a burden (or both), you have been appointed trustee of a trust. What responsibilities have been thrust upon you? How can you successfully carry them out? Here are nine do’s and one don’t to get you started: Do read the trust document. It sets out…
Read MoreWhat exactly is a Personal Representative or an Executor?
Many clients ask me what will be required of their “Personal Representative” or “Executor” when they pass away; and are concerned about their family members being required to undertake such a responsibility. Here is some information to pass along to their family and to hopefully shed light on the duties…
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