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...
In some cases, people who have drafted estate plans will split everything they own as equally as possible. But in other cases, they will decide that they want to use unequal bequests. A parent with two adult children may not necessarily leave them each 50% of their...
An advance health care directive allows you to specify treatment you do or don’t want in the event of a medical emergency. It also allows you to appoint a medical power of attorney to make any decisions you have not covered. It can be reassuring to know you have this...
Parents who worry about leaving their children behind when they die can prepare in advance. They can create estate plans that name guardians to protect their children. They can also protect their children by naming them as beneficiaries in wills or trust documents....
It is crucial to understand why estate planning is important. Many people put off making a plan because they do not know how it will help them or their family, so digging into this can help demonstrate why it is something that people should look into and why they need...
If you're considering Medicaid and want to protect your home from recovery after you pass away, a Lady Bird deed may be a helpful tool. This legal document allows homeowners to transfer property to beneficiaries while still retaining full control during their...
In Florida, a will alone cannot avoid probate. However, there are specific ways to reduce or bypass the probate process. While having a will ensures that your wishes are followed, it does not automatically prevent the estate from going through probate. What is probate...
When creating your will, one of the most important components will be naming a personal representative. This person will handle your affairs according to your final wishes. How do you determine who will be best for this important responsibility? What does a personal...
If you own property in Tampa or anywhere in Florida, you might be thinking about how to make things easier for your loved ones after you are gone. It is not an easy topic to face, but it is important to have a plan. One way to do that is by avoiding probate, which can...
