Preparing for Estate Planning
By Spiro Verras
Preparing for an estate-planning meeting does not mean having every decision made in advance. A little organization can make the discussion more useful, and the meeting itself can help clarify questions that are still open.
Start with what matters to youThink about the people you want...
What to Do With Your Car Title When You Estate Plan
By Spiro Verras
A vehicle deserves attention in an estate plan because its title, financing and insurance affect how it can be used and transferred. Florida has specific rules, and a method described for another state may not work the same way here.
Read the current title carefullyFlorida distinguishes...
Choosing an Agent for Your Florida Durable Financial Power of Attorney
By Spiro Verras
Choosing an agent under a durable financial power of attorney is a decision about trust, judgment and practical responsibility. The right person should understand your priorities and be able to carry out the authority you grant with care.
Understand the role before choosing the personA Florida...
The Benefits of Putting Your Home in a Revocable Trust
By Spiro Verras
A home is both a financial asset and a place with personal meaning. A revocable trust may help provide continuity in its management and eventual transfer, but the trust and deed must fit the ownership, family circumstances and Florida homestead rules.
How a revocable trust can...Watch Out for These Common Estate Planning Pitfalls
By Spiro Verras
Estate planning helps translate your wishes into arrangements the people you trust can carry out. It is useful at many stages of life and across a wide range of financial circumstances. Some common gaps arise after documents have been signed, when account details or changing...
What Is an Affidavit of Heirs?
By Spiro Verras
An affidavit of heirs is a sworn statement that helps a probate court understand a deceased person's family relationships. It can supply important information about who may have rights in the estate, but it does not itself determine inheritance or transfer property.
Heirs and beneficiaries are...Accounting for Cryptocurrency in Your Estate Plan
By Spiro Verras
Cryptocurrency should be considered alongside other property in an estate plan. The practical challenge is to coordinate ownership, legal authority and secure access. A clear gift in a will is useful only if the person administering the estate can identify and lawfully manage the assets.
Identify...Setting Up an Irrevocable Trust
By Spiro Verras
An irrevocable trust begins with a very personal question: What would you like these assets to make possible? The answer might be lasting support for a loved one, thoughtful gifts to the next generation, or a plan that coordinates family priorities with taxes and future care. A...Trustee Responsibilities
By Spiro Verras
Serving as a trustee means accepting responsibility for property held for others. The trust document is the starting point, but applicable law also supplies duties and limits. A clear understanding of both helps the trustee make decisions, maintain useful records and communicate with beneficiaries.
Administer the...Kid Going Off to College in the Fall? Estate Planning Documents You Need
By Spiro Verras
Preparing for college is an exciting transition for a family. Alongside housing, classes and travel arrangements, it is useful to discuss how a young adult would like to receive help if a medical or financial issue arises. The conversation should respect the student's growing independence.
Turning...