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Florida Estate Planning & Probate Blog
Proof of broken laws can help you contest a will
You know that the conditions surrounding your family member's will in Florida are inaccurate. There is evidence that despite containing a signature, the absence of some critical aspects may have compromised its legality. When you have evidence of broken laws...
How can I choose the right personal representative?
Choosing a personal representative is an essential part of estate planning. According to Forbes, a personal representative is responsible for locating assets as well as debts, providing your will to the court for review, paying taxes, valuing the estate, and many...
Should I create a trust in addition to a will?
It is definitely true that wills are the cornerstone of the estate planning process. However, they are also subject to probate, which can be problematic if your will is contested by family members. To ensure your estate is properly protected, you may also need to...
3 estate planning items to revisit as you approach retirement
From ensuring that assets pass to loved ones easily after your death to establishing clear directions about your long-term health care preferences, estate planning is often important for both financial and emotional peace of mind. However, maintaining your estate...
What are the common mistakes when writing a will?
As you draft up your last will and testament, you need to be careful about the language you use. Ambiguous or uncertain terms can leave your heirs perplexed as to how to divide your assets when you are no longer around. Many of the most common will writing mistakes,...
The probate process in Florida
When someone dies in Florida and has assets, the distribution of assets goes through a probate process. This involves the court and other parties. Probate occurs whether or not there is a will. Probate for asset distribution and financial affairs According to the...
Helping your parents plan for the financial aspect of aging
Talking to your parents about retirement and end-of-life challenges may alleviate some of the stress that often comes as a result of inadequate planning. Knowing when and how to approach sensitive topics about death may help you navigate conversations with confidence....
Can I add a family pet as a beneficiary in my estate plan?
Your estate plans may provide for all of your beneficiaries, and may also include your pets. The family dog cannot inherit legal ownership of your Florida property, but you could create a trust with instructions for your chosen trustee to use its assets to care for...
Estate planning for incapacity and asset distribution
If Florida residents die without an estate plan, what happens to their assets is determined by the state. However, there is another important element to estate planning as well, and this involves making sure that someone can manage your finances and health care if you...
How long you can expect the probate process to take
Closing a Florida estate takes time due to the many tasks that the personal representative must complete. According to The American Bar Association, estates take an average of six to nine months to complete the probate process. However, although probate as a process...
