Common Questions About Guardianships For Minors
For Florida parents with children under the age of 18, the naming of a guardian for minor children is an important part of an estate plan. Generally it is relatively simple to nominate a guardian and even though it may be difficult to talk about, a guardianship plan should not be put off. In this […]
Don’t Let Seemingly Complicated Estate Planning Prevent You From Making A Plan
Only 45 percent of Americans today have a will. So many Americans and folks in Florida lack estate planning because many people put off estate planning and because many people overcomplicate estate planning decisions to the point where a plan is not created. While estate planning can be complicated, it does not have to be. […]
Estate Planning Not Just For Seniors And Wealthy
When it comes to hearing words like “wills“, “trusts”, and “estate planning”, many people think of older individuals and individuals with wealth. Those associations are misguided and it turns out that everyone can benefit from estate planning, even young people. Young folks in Florida and elsewhere tend to have fewer assets because they are just […]
An Estate Plan Checkup For Floridians In The New Year
As the New Year starts, people in Florida should take time to review and update their estate plan. The New Year can be used to review changes in personal circumstances, the law and other factors. This post will talk about a few items to consider during the review of your will, trust and other documents […]
Florida Millionaire’s Move To Adopt Girlfriend May Be A Strategy For His Children’s Trust
When a 48-year-old multimillionaire from Palm Beach, Florida decided to adopt his 42-year-old girlfriend, the decision definitely turned heads. While the choice may be suspect from the perspective of adoption law, the move may sound more strategic from an estate planning perspective. The decision may have been made to protect a trust set aside for […]
Pet Trusts: Ensuring Beloved Pets Have A Home
Many people in Florida and elsewhere consider their pets to be members of the family. Pet owners often want to know that their furry, loved ones will be taken care of after they are gone. Commonly, pet owners ask a trusted person to care of their pet, but sometimes the caretaker changes his or her […]
Missing Florida Man’s Mother Wins Battle Over Conservatorship
In the midst of authorities searching for a wealthy Florida philanthropist who went missing after a boating trip last month, the man’s mother filed for a petition in court to be named the sole conservator over his estate. Since the first few days after his disappearance the philanthropist’s mother and wife have been battling each […]
Palm Beach County Starts Guardianship Fraud Hotline
The elderly are particularly vulnerable to being exploited by their caretakers. This is why the Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller started the county’s guardianship fraud hotline last October. The hotline has since received 57 calls, which have led to 13 investigations into possible fraudulent activity. The police have taken control of 12 of these […]
Kinship Guardianship Faces More Challenges Than Other Families
It is becoming increasingly more common for children to grow up in the care of relatives other than their parents. This is especially true for states such as Florida, where this type of guardianship accounts for 40 percent of the children in foster care. Some critics argue that the state should increase assistance to children […]
Disclaimer Trust May Be Answer To Estate Tax Changes In Florida
There are various aspects to consider when estate planning. One of these factors may require considering the tax implications of planning an estate. This is especially pertinent to some people, since previous cuts to the estate tax are set to expire at the end of this year if Congress does not act to extend them. […]