People in the Tampa area may have heard that it is almost always better to create a trust instead of just drafting a will. There is some truth to that. In many cases, a trust really is the best estate planning device for a Florida family. To give just one common...
Estate Planning
Can someone living outside of Florida act as a personal representative?
If you have a loved one who passed away in the sunshine state, you may wonder who will oversee administering their estate. The person who manages this important task is called a personal representative, and they have many duties and responsibilities under the law....
How extensive is a health care surrogate’s authority?
Floridians who are thinking about the future and want to be prepared for every eventuality will understand the importance of comprehensive estate planning and crafting all the necessary documents. Part of that is having contingencies in place if they become...
Creating a land trust in Florida
Trusts can be adapted to many purposes and come in a variety of forms. One type is known as a land trust, in which the document forms a legal entity that holds real estate for the benefit of its named beneficiaries. Creating the trust In Florida, individuals can set...
How do I select a trustee for my trust?
If you are creating a trust in Florida, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is who will serve as your trustee. A trustee is the person or entity that manages the assets of the trust and distributes them to the beneficiaries according to your...
Avoiding disputes over your will
Drafting a will provides Floridians the ability to direct how their hard-earned assets are passed on to loved ones. A person signing a will — known as the testator — wants to avoid the potential for a challenge to the validity of the will. For example, there could...
What is funding a trust?
Many people choose to create a living trust as part of their estate plans. A trust serves as an estate planning tool that allows for certain assets to be distributed when the time comes. As the person creating and funding the trust, you are the grantor or settler of...
Choosing an executor for your estate in Tampa
Many people spend their whole lives earning income, investing their money, and purchasing property to make sure that they have accumulated enough wealth to take care of themselves and their families. As we get older, many of us start thinking about passing on some or...
What is a “living will” and why do you need one?
A comprehensive estate plan is typically composed of a number of different documents. A will, power of attorney documents, trusts—these, among others, may be a part of any given estate plan. These types of estate planning documents come into effect due to varying...
The importance of estate planning
Many assume that estate planning is only for older or wealthier individuals. In fact, there are multiple reasons that estate planning is important for any adult. Protect your beneficiaries Among the most important reasons for estate planning is to protect those who...