If you heeded the advice of estate planning experts in Florida and already drafted a will, then you likely feel well-prepared should you meet an untimely end. Yet it is important to remember that estate planning is not an event; rather, it is a process that requires...
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Palm Beach Estate And Probate Blog
Isolation may lead to undue influence
When Floridians write wills, they should do so of their own free will. Unfortunately, though, an unscrupulous friend, relative or caregiver may unduly influence the drafter of an estate plan. If someone exerted undue influence over your loved one’s decision-making...
Should I put my adult child’s name on the deed to my home?
One of the most popular driving factors behind Americans going through the estate planning process is helping their heirs skip probate. Avoiding probate is beneficial for many reasons, and chief among them is that probate can take a lot of time and be expensive. In...
Incorporating a tax strategy into your estate plan
One major element of estate planning in Florida is to attempt to limit the liabilities that your estate may face upon your death. After spending much of your adult life accruing assets in order to pass on to your beneficiaries, you no doubt want to ensure that as much...
Information about power of attorney abuse
People name a power of attorney to make legal and financial decisions for them, and a POA may be a family member, spouse, friend, lawyer or even nursing home staff. Along with naming this person, there is an expectation that the POA will do what is in the person’s...
What are the most common reasons for will contests?
In Florida, state law and the state courts preside over matters of the estate. This includes wills. In particular, a court may need to get involved if someone takes issue with the will. This can lead to a will contest. But what are the most common reasons for a...
What is and is not subject to probate?
Probate is a mysterious process for those who have not dealt with it. Before creating an estate plan, you may want to understand how the court views assets. Under Florida law, most estates must go through probate. If the value of your estate is less than $75,000,...
What should you look for in an executor?
Florida residents like you spend your entire life crafting, maintaining and caring for your estate. It goes without say that you want someone to take care of it after your death. This will allow your beneficiaries to enjoy it without going through legal hassles and...
Do I really need to have a trust?
Having a will in place is a crucial part of the estate planning process. However, wills are limited in what they can achieve. If you only have a will established, your estate could be vulnerable after you are gone. Implementing a trust along with your will is a great...
Florida’s intestate succession guidelines
Past posts on this blog addressed the question of whether a person truly needs a will. This question no doubt arises from the fact that (according to Gallup), only roughly 44% of adults both in Florida and throughout the rest of the U.S. actually have one. State law...