How to Resolve a Trust Dispute Without Going to Court in Florida
Many Florida trust disputes can be resolved without a trial through direct negotiation, mediation, greater financial transparency, or a written settlement agreement. Reaching an agreement outside the courtroom can give trustees and beneficiaries more control over the outcome while reducing the cost, delay, and conflict that often come with trust litigation.
How to Close an Estate in Florida
Closing an estate in Florida generally requires the personal representative to finish administering the estate, resolve creditor claims and expenses, address taxes, distribute the remaining property, and obtain an order of discharge from the probate court. The estate is not formally closed simply because beneficiaries have received their inheritances.
Florida Asset Protection: Tenants by the Entirety (TBE) Brokerage Accounts
Another Benefit of Marriage: How Fidelity, Vanguard, J.P. Morgan, Schwab, and other brokerage accounts fit with revocable living trusts and a holistic Florida estate plan
Key Takeaways Florida tenancy by the entirety can protect qualifying jointly owned property from a separate creditor...
Florida TBE Brokerage Accounts: Lawyer, Plan Thyself
My firsthand experience trying to establish tenancy-by-the-entirety accounts at Fidelity and Vanguard, with J.P. Morgan
Key Takeaways A brokerage account labeled “joint” is not necessarily owned as TBE. JTWROS and TBE are different ownership forms with different creditor consequences.
Florida Homestead as Asset Protection: What the O.J. Simpson Case Actually Teaches
A deep dive into how Florida’s homestead shield holds up (and where it doesn’t) with married couples, unrelated co-owners, children added to the deed, revocable and irrevocable trusts, land trusts, and Lady Bird deeds
Key Takeaways Florida’s homestead exemption really did keep...
Florida Homestead Protection and Property Tax Exemptions: What Every Homeowner Should Know Before the November 2026 Election
How one word in Florida law creates three separate protections for your home, and the ballot measure this November that could reshape one of them
Key Takeaways Florida’s constitution actually creates three separate homestead protections: shelter from forced sale by most creditors,...What Happens If You Forget to Fund Your Trust in Florida?
Creating a revocable living trust is only part of the estate planning process. If you forget to fund your trust by transferring your assets into it, those assets may still have to pass through probate after your death, even though you created the trust to help avoid that outcome.
How Does the Florida Probate Process Work? A Step-by-Step Overview
The Florida probate process is the legal procedure used to identify a deceased person's assets, pay outstanding debts, and distribute property to beneficiaries or heirs. Depending on the estate and whether it meets Florida's eligibility requirements, probate may proceed through either summary administration or formal administration.
If you have...
What Happens to a Revocable Trust When the Grantor Dies?
When the grantor of a revocable trust dies, the trust generally becomes irrevocable. Control passes to the successor trustee, who is responsible for managing the trust, paying valid debts and expenses when required, and distributing assets according to the trust's instructions. A properly funded revocable trust can also allow many assets to...
What Is a Pour-Over Will and How Does It Work With a Trust?
A pour-over will is a type of will designed to work alongside a revocable living trust. It directs any assets that remain outside your trust at death into the trust so they can be managed and distributed according to the trust's terms.
Many Florida estate plans include both a...