Celebrity Estate Lessons – Philip Seymour Hoffman
So, you already have Will? Great! But when was it last updated? It might seem like a small oversight but could make a big difference. When Philip Seymour Hoffman died in 2014, he had a Will ready to go. Unfortunately, that Will was written before his last two children were born. Under New York law, […]
Selecting A Personal Representative For Your Estate
Selecting a personal representative is one of the first steps in creating an estate plan. It is important to choose the right person to work with the Florida probate court, administer your estate and get your assets to your beneficiaries. Here are some tips for selecting a personal representative, and what you should tell them […]
What Does Probate Mean?
“Probate” is one of those words lawyers use all the time and know exactly what it means. But if you haven’t gone to law school, chances are you will never come across the word until you find yourself needing to use the probate court. So what does probate mean? And what should you expect if […]
Homestead and Elective Share if Your Spouse Dies First
Enforcing Your Spousal Elective Share It is generally assumed that when one spouse dies, the widow or widower would inherit the couple’s shared assets and would support the rest of the family. While this is often the case, every family is different and sometimes a person’s Will leaves a widowed spouse without the means to […]
What Goes Into an Estate Plan?
Estate Planning Should Always be Personal Nearly everyone needs an estate plan. If you have a child, a pet, or a home, you probably should not rely on the default rules set out in the Florida probate code to handle your affairs after you pass away or how you will be treated in your final […]
What is a Revocable Living Trust?
If you are considering the options available for your estate plan, you may have come across the idea of a revocable living trust. This alternative to a traditional estate plan gives you more control over what happens to your assets. It also reduces or even eliminates the role of the Florida probate court in your […]
Who is the Lawyer’s Client When Families Fight?
Grief can take many forms. Sometimes families fight after a loved one dies. When there is a large estate or a highly valued piece of property, that fight can make its way to the Florida probate court. In those cases, it can be hard to tell who the estate’s lawyer really represents and whether you […]
How to Get Letters of Administration in Florida
The days following a loved one’s death can involve a flurry of trying to talk to banks, service providers, and others involved in your family member’s affairs. A deceased’s next of kin often receive letters in the mail from financial institutions and insurance companies telling them they need “letters testamentary” or “letters of administration” before […]
The Importance of Keeping your Estate Plan Up-to-Date
The Importance of Keeping Your Estate Plan Up-to-Date Your estate plan has one purpose: to make sure your welfare and your affairs are handled according to your wishes once you can no longer make decisions for yourself. But estate planning should not be a one-time occurrence. Your estate plan should change over time to reflect […]
What is the Tangible Personal Property List in Your Will
You have likely heard stories about families gathered around the dinner table, fighting over who will take Grandma’s china or Grandpa’s pipe collection. While tangible personal property isn’t usually the most valuable part of a person’s estate, it can be the most sentimental. Including a tangible personal property list with your Will can help resolve […]