As an estate planning attorney, one of the most common misunderstandings that clients have is that they think estate planning and elder law are the same thing. While they are both essential components of planning for future events, they are actually quite distinct from each other. Learning about the differences can help ensure you have the right resources in place for both your current situation in life and whatever Read More
4 Factors Florida Courts Consider When Determining Competency
Estate planning is a subject many people don’t seem to think about until it’s almost too late. If you have an elderly loved one who needs to get their affairs in order, it could be more difficult than you imagine. Deciding who receives our assets once we pass on might be easy when we are young and have full mental capacity, but what about when we get older? What about when a loved one is diagnosed with a neurological Read More
The Durable Power of Attorney: What It Is and Why You Need One
Life is nothing if not unpredictable. No one expects to be abruptly incapacitated until it happens to them. Whether you suddenly fall ill for a short period of time or find yourself in a coma following a car accident, you’ll want to make sure that you already have everything in place you may need to ensure all of your obligations are fulfilled and that your wishes are carried out as you intended. The fact is, when Read More
Florida Estate Planning: 5 Reasons You Need More Than a Basic Will
When people think about end of life planning, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the last will and testament. This is the most common legal document for deciding what will happen to your belongings after you pass. For many people, a will is all they will need in terms of estate planning. It is important, however, to know when you are in a position where you’ll need to use other estate planning vehicles Read More
DON’T LET MOVING PREVENT YOU FROM ESTATE PLANNING
Our society is increasingly mobile and fluid. As the economy shifts to accommodate these attributes, more people are finding themselves frequently relocating between states, including Florida, in order to accommodate their financial needs. As a result, they often fail to craft acceptable estate plans because they are unfamiliar with the rules in their particular state. This is a bad financial decision, according to Read More
PROVIDING FOR YOUR PETS AFTER YOU’RE GONE
Superstorm Sandy packed a wallop when it struck the East Coast earlier this fall, prompting many people to reevaluate their estate administration plans. In an eerie repeat of Katrina, a significant number of pets were left stranded when their owners evacuated, largely because people had not prepared for the tough decisions that come along with fleeing with their furry friends. Estate planners say that this Read More
ETHICAL WILLS: GIVING YOUR LOVED ONES AN EMOTIONAL GIFT
When you think of a will, you probably consider that it will distribute financial assets such as land holdings, jewelry and other valuable goods. That notion of estate planning is quickly being augmented by a new movement in will execution, which demonstrates that more Baby Boomers are interested in passing on a different kind of legacy to their heirs. Those retirees are looking to hand down their life stories, Read More
