When a Palm Beach resident realizes that a loved one may no longer be able to make decisions for him or herself, that person may step up to help. From the moment he or she does that, it may be a good idea to begin creating a paper trail. Once an individual officially...
As Palm Beach residents begin their estate planning, they will more than likely be confronted with numerous decisions to make. If it turns out that one or more trusts would work best for a particular situation, then one other decision will need to be made -- whether...
If you have a loved one who is in need of physical assistance, you might be wondering what your best options are. The answer to this depends on the specifics of your situation. An aging parent who needs help planning her or his estate will have different needs than a...
Many Palm Beach residents go beyond a last will and testament when it comes to providing for their families after death. They also use trusts to pass on assets to loved ones in a more controlled, private and protected manner. Regardless of how carefully such documents...
After the loved ones of Palm Beach residents pass away, the task of wrapping up the estates of the deceased begins. If wills exist, these documents are then filed with the court and probate proceedings begin in most cases. Once a particular will is examined, someone...
Some Palm Beach residents are under the impression that, once they execute an estate plan, they cannot ever change it. Fortunately, wills are not set in stone. One of the best things about estate planning is that it can change as people's lives do. When an estate plan...
With all of the decisions that Palm Beach residents make when planning their estates, one could make or break the entire thing -- the people appointed to carry out their wishes. Most of the documents that make up an estate plan require the designation of one or more...
If you enjoy giving back to your Florida community by donating to your church or favorite charity, have you ever thought about establishing a charitable trust to give your donations more structure and certainty? If you are unfamiliar with charitable trusts, it likely...
When Palm Beach residents reach the point where they believe a family member can no longer act on his or her own behalf, they may begin to explore the alternatives. If the incapacitated individual does not have powers of attorney in place, it may be necessary to seek...
You may have been flattered when your Palm Beach relative came to you asking if you would be an integral part of his or her estate plan. Now that he or she has passed away, you find yourself being appointed the successor trustee to his or her trust. You may be finding...