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Florida Estate Planning & Probate Blog
Estate planning for business owners
Though Florida residents are not subject to as many estate taxes as residents of other states, it is always a good idea to have an estate plan in place. An estate plan can include a last will and testament or a trust fund; it can also include a succession plan for...
A few clarifications about Florida probate court
The process of probate court may seem confusing to many individuals. Essentially, probate matters deal with the distribution of the assets of a deceased person and to the payment of that person's debts or financial obligations. The following information covers a...
Have you picked a personal representative?
Florida residents like you settle down to create your estate plan. This is often a time-consuming process full of legal hurdles. It is difficult to navigate if you have never worked with legal matters before. Today, we will discuss one of the first things you should...
Are you responsible for a deceased parent’s debts?
Losing a parent is almost always difficult, but if you start receiving calls from that parent’s creditors soon after, you may feel as if you have reached your wit’s end. If your parent passed away and left more debt behind than his or her estate could cover, your...
Common estate plan issues important for older adults
People entering middle age often discover that their aging parents might have gaps in their estate plans. Possibly, they do not have an estate plan at all. This can result in significant delays and expenses if someone passes away without a will in Florida or elsewhere...
What is the probate process, and can you avoid it?
When someone dies, probate is the process of recognizing the will and appointing the personal representative. Depending on the complexity of the situation, the settlement of the estate can take a lot of time and money. To save time and expense, some people choose to...
How can you approach your elderly parents about estate planning?
What would happen if your elderly parents were to die without an estate plan or will in place? This situation is more common than you might think, as Forbes reports that nearly half of American residents over the age of 55 do not have such a plan. Talking to your...
What is a living will?
One of the fundamental documents of estate planning is a will, which allows you to name heirs and divide your property among them as you see fit. However, a living will is another essential document, and it gives you the tools to maintain control over your medical...
When does an estate plan need an update?
An estate plan generally requires several revisions throughout a testator's lifetime. When buying a new property, for example, your will or trust needs updating so that it describes how you would like it handled in the future. Without adding a newly acquired asset to...
Can I challenge a will?
In the event that a relative of yours has recently died, it is natural to consider contesting the will if you are not happy with it. However, it is important to understand who has the right to challenge a will and who does not. One of the very first laws of probate...
