What Is the New Estate Tax Bill Senator Bernie Sanders is Proposing?
Have you heard the buzz about the “For the 99.5% Act”? It is a bill that was introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders back in March and it has had people talking. This is because, while the bill has not yet passed, it stands to have a substantial impact on many people if it does...
What Causes Delays in Probate Proceedings?
Following in the wake of a loved one’s death, probate is an often dreaded process. The court supervised process of administering and distributing a person’s estate, probate is notoriously complicated, as well as time-consuming and expensive. Beneficiaries of the estate must wait until the personal representative of the estate has managed and inventoried...
What Goes on During Probate?
Have you heard of probate? It is the court-supervised process that involves the gathering, management, and distribution of a deceased individual’s assets. As you may have heard that many people look for ways to try and avoid probate because it has come to be known as costly and time consuming, you may be...
What to Consider in Choosing a Personal Representative for Your Estate
The personal representative of an estate plays an integral role in the successful and smooth administration of a person’s estate after he or she has passed away. Some of the tasks of a personal representative include gathering and managing assets, notifying creditors, seeing to the payment of continuing expenses, and paying valid creditor...
Florida Elective Share Law
Sometimes, a person leaves out his or her spouse from an estate plan. Whether intentional or intentional, it is important to know that there are laws in place that guard the surviving spouse against this occurring. While such protection may be good news to the surviving spouse, it can be an unfortunate as...
What Should I Do with My Original Estate Planning Documents?
Have you put an estate plan in place? If so, congratulations on taking this important step. A strong estate plan can help accomplish and protect your goals for the future. You may have a will, powers of attorney, a living will, and a health care surrogate among your estate planning documents. Each serves...
Three Reasons to Consider a Spendthrift Trust
Why Does “Domicile” Matter in Estate Planning?
Have you heard of the term domicile? While most people may only think of this term as referring to the place they live, it can be much more complex and have more intricate implications when considered in the legal sense. More than where a person lives, a domicile is really a residence where a...
Using a Prenup in Your Estate Plans
While you have likely heard of a prenuptial agreement, or “prenup,” you may not fully understand what it can do. Most people, of course, use a prenup to set some financial expectations for marriage. It may outline what assets and income will be considered marital assets and which will remain separate in the event...
What Is the Difference Between Tangible Property and Other Property Types in an Estate Plan?
Tangible property includes physical items you can touch, while other property types, such as intangible and real property, involve assets defined by ownership rights rather than physical possession. A clear estate plan accounts for each category differently because Florida law treats them differently. Understanding how these property types are defined and transferred...