A contentious and long-debated estate litigation case related to businessman Wilson Lucom's will has finally been settled, according to federal documents. The man had left most of his $50 million fortune to a charitable foundation designed to assist poor Panamanian children. The executor of the estate had filed claims against the man's widow in relation to the estate distribution decision. Even though he had Read More
SUPREME COURT: NO BENEFITS FOR KIDS CONCEIVED AFTER DAD’S DEATH
As newer ways of conceiving children have been developed, many family and probate laws have had to change. Babies are born from surrogates, donors and in vitro fertilization, which can easily complicate probate and family law issues. One woman found out that her estate administration plans were not in order when she attempted to retrieve Social Security benefits for her children, who were born 18 months after their Read More
ADMINISTERING AN ART TRUST
Man Ray was an influential artist during the Jazz Age. But how did almost the entirety of his art collection end up in the hands of a car repair shop owner? The story is almost as surreal as the man's art itself, and it involves a series of trust administration decisions that will likely provide a financial boon for a humble family. The original art trust was formed by the artist's wife. Since she passed away, Read More
SMALL-BUSINESS OWNERS: MAKE A BUSINESS TRANSITION PLAN
You've spent your whole life working to build your small business to your liking. You have invested money, time and effort into the venture, working tirelessly to ensure that it succeeds. But do you know what would happen to your business if you suddenly died? That's an important consideration for all small-business owners to ponder. Estate planning experts say that many small-business owners just assume that Read More
ANNA NICOLE’S ESTATE OWES $300K IN BACK TAXES
The estate of the deceased "Playboy" playmate Anna Nicole Smith is facing serious tax trouble, after the Internal Revenue Service declared this week that it won't wait any longer for overdue payments. Poor estate administration in the years after the model's death may be to blame for the mix-up. The IRS claims that Smith's estate owes more than $300,000 in back taxes that have been pending for nearly 10 years. The Read More
FLORIDA BANKS HOP ON THE WEALTH MANAGEMENT BANDWAGON
The recent economic downturn has created a buyer's market for wealth management services. Banks throughout the nation, including South Florida, are offering a variety of incentives for people who need wealth management advice, courting clients with a wide range of perks. Banks have begun to host wealth management seminars for special populations, including women and other target groups. These events allow the firm Read More
MAN ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING ELDERLY UNCLE AFTER PROBATE HEARING
Elderly Florida residents are no doubt aware of the challenges that estate planning can present when deciding who gets what. Tempers have been known to flare amongst jealous relatives, but it's important that everyone act calmly. A man has been accused of assaulting his elderly uncle after a contentious custody and probate hearing. The incident occurred when the two men were leaving a hearing was related to the Read More
ARE LIVING TRUSTS A CURE-ALL FOR PROBATE FEES?
Living trusts are sometimes pitched to Florida seniors in high-pressure environments, with salespeople contending that probate fees will be lower if a trust is in place. These people often convince older citizens to create trusts where they may not be needed. Experts advise that those interested in proper trust administration first consult a lawyer and financial adviser before listening to salespeople. A living Read More
COCA-COLA FIGHTS ANTIQUE STOCK CLAIM
Sometimes big gifts come in unlikely packages -- at least that's what one family is contending after discovering an unlikely fortune in an antique stock certificate. The family is suing Coca-Cola over an estate valuation issue, after one man purchased an inexpensive certificate at a garage sale. The certificate, they say, entitles the holder to 1.8 million shares of company stock, which would amount to $130 million Read More
MONKEES STAR’S ESTATE DOCUMENTS SEALED FROM PUBLIC
A South Florida court has decided to allow Davy Jones' will and other estate documents to remain confidential and sealed, per requests from the performer's family. Jones, who died in late February from a heart attack, had been a public figure for more than 40 years, known throughout the world as the face of a band called The Monkees. The judge's decision to seal the records is extremely unusual in a state that has Read More
