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...
Trusts
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...
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...
How do I choose a trustee for a trust?
We often discuss trusts on this blog. In a recent post, we discussed the question of whether you could use more than one trustee. Another key question that deserves its own post: How do I choose a trustee for a trust? The family option When setting up a trust, there...
Trusts and wills: can I include a no contest clause?
The last thing someone who is doing their estate planning wants is for the product of their efforts to become embroiled in litigation. You structure your trust or your will to ensure your beneficiaries are provided for in the manner you think is best. And you may...
Benefits of a living trust
Estate planning is complicated. Everyone has unique objectives and interests they want to protect – there is no one-size-fits-all approach. This being said, one of the most versatile estate planning tools is the living trust. The living trust isn’t for everyone, but...
How to select a trustee for a Florida Trust
As you begin the estate planning process, you may discover that creating a trust is the best option for you and your beneficiaries. If you choose to create a trust, you as the grantor must name someone to serve as a trustee for the trust. The trustee will have the...
Understanding special needs trusts in Florida
Trusts serve many purposes in a Florida estate plan. A properly drafted trust can protect a person’s assets from the claims of creditors and ensure that the assets in the trust are spent exclusively for the benefit of the beneficiary. A very useful type of trust has...
Options for funding a trust
Many considerations go into estate-planning, some of the most important being how to provide for loved ones once you are no longer there. Setting up a revocable or irrevocable trust can provide people with more control over how assets will be distributed later on, and...