Thinking about the future often involves making decisions that reflect our values and wishes. Estate planning allows us to put those decisions in writing so our loved ones have guidance when important moments eventually arise. Some estate planning documents focus on...
Many Florida residents are in “mixed status” marriages where one spouse is a U.S. citizen and the other isn’t. Often, people think that they can’t include their non-citizen spouse as a beneficiary in their estate plan, even though they are here legally – usually as a...
Creating an estate plan is something every adult should do sooner rather than later. This is true even if they do not have much to pass on. Once the initial creation of the plan is done, they should set themselves a calendar reminder to review it every couple of...
Many people procrastinate estate planning, sometimes because they do not understand exactly how important it is. This keeps them from making it a priority. The truth is that there are many potential benefits to estate planning. Additionally, procrastination is a...
Most people know that planning ahead for their healthcare is important, yet still put off creating a living will. This legal document ensures your healthcare preferences are followed if you’re ever unable to speak for yourself. One reason many people avoid making a...
There are numerous benefits that people can derive when they establish revocable living trusts. One of the perks, when compared with an irrevocable trust, is the ability to act as the initial trustee. The person funding the trust can manage trust resources until they...
Lady bird deeds, also known as enhanced life estate deeds, are highly useful but relatively uncommon estate planning tools. They are uncommon in part because only five states currently allow their use. Florida is one of those states. Property owners planning for the...
If you have a minor child, it’s critical to name a guardian for them when estate planning. This ensures they have someone who will take care of them if you are unable to because of incapacitation or death. It’s important to determine the most suitable person for this...
Life has a way of staying busy, and planning for the future often slips to the bottom of the list. Many people assume their loved ones will “just know” what to do if something happens, or that everything will naturally work itself out. Unfortunately, when there is no...
Blended families are often built on a foundation of love, resilience and the hope of creating something lasting together. At the same time, they can often bring unique legal and emotional considerations that require thoughtful planning. When children, stepchildren and...
