How To Tell If A Florida Will Is Out Of Date
Although estate planning documents may still be valid, they may not meet an individual’s needs beyond a certain date. Those who follow estate planning trends say that if a will was created over 10 to 15 years ago, it may be worthwhile to review and update it. For instance, wills created before April 2003 may […]
Holographic Wills: Requirements To Be Valid
A holographic will is a will that has been entirely written and signed in the handwriting of the testator, who is the person who makes the will. While some states consider holographic wills to be valid, Florida does not unless the will meets certain requirements. Under Florida law, a holographic will is valid if it […]
Common Grounds For Will Contests In Florida
One of the challenges associated with wills is to create a document that will accomplish the stated wishes of its maker who is formally known as the “testator.” A will must clearly convey the thoughts and wishes of the testator who will not be around when the document is offered for probate to explain what […]
Will Planning For Elder Gay Couples
When the Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage was legal in all 50 states, many LGBT couples in Florida flocked to the courthouses, altars and everywhere else they could to get hitched. For the younger couples, there was not much to worry about, at least not any time soon. But older gay couples who are […]
Factoring Debt Into Your Estate Planning
Statistics show that the average middle income person in Florida around age 50 carries more debt than ever before. This can be a challenge when they pass away and their estate is divided. Though debt collectors cannot go after survivors to collect unpaid liabilities, they can get the unpaid funds from assets in your estate. […]
What Are The Legal Requirements For Wills In Florida?
Considering the important role they play in allowing you to control how your assets are distributed after your death the legal requirements for wills are not as complex as you might imagine. All states, including Florida, have laws specifying the rules for testamentary capacity and legal capacity that must exist for a will to be […]
Why Would I Need To Change My Will?
Your will is one of the most important documents you will ever draft. It dictates what happens to your estate when you pass away and ensures the proper heirs are given their inheritance. Some residents in Florida may think writing their will is just a “fix it and forget it,” type of document. However, there […]
What Is Power Of Attorney?
If you are planning your will and establishing beneficiaries of your estate as assets, you might have heard the term “power of attorney” used a few times. All of the legal jargon can become confusing if you are not familiar with the terms, but this is an important piece of the puzzle if you would […]
Tips And Tricks For Estate Planning
Estate planning is not a Herculean task, but then again, it’s not so easy, either. There are many ways to get tripped up, from drafting a confusing will to inadvertently paying more than your fair share of taxes. Here are four areas to which people in Port St. Lucie will want to pay attention, as […]
No Estate Plan Results In Abandoned Home
A recent story of an abandoned property may underscore for Florida readers what can happen if estate planning is avoided. A woman lived in her small 1100-square-foot home for many years. She shared the place with her husband until his death. The woman’s health declined over the ensuing years, and dementia set in. without any […]