Death is a difficult topic for many families to address. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most common occurrences that throw families into legal proceedings. When a Fort Lauderdale resident dies, their estate must be managed and distributed in accordance with the...
Year: 2020
What are the benefits of an A-B Trust?
Readers of this blog are likely familiar with estate planning tools, like trusts. Specifically, many may know about a bypass trust, also called the credit shelter trust and the B trust, but they may not know how they work with ew. And, this post will cover such “A-B...
Is sharing estate planning decisions with heirs a wise step?
Creating an estate plan is a wise and responsible act in Florida. This is true regardless of a person’s age and financial situation. Even those who are younger and do not believe it is a priority can benefit from understanding the benefits of estate planning. Still,...
How to minimize sibling disputes using estate planning
As most Fort Lauderdale area parents understand, their children don’t always get along. Since they were little kids, siblings often have many disputes. But when it comes to a parent’s estate after they pass away, siblings can run into big problems. There are steps...
The ABCs of choosing an executor or trustee
Creating an estate plan requires many decisions, all of which should be made carefully. Two of the most important decisions are choosing an executor and, required, a trustee. Both positions involve carrying out the wishes of the decedent for a significant period of...
Do I need to modify my estate plan?
A lot of people put of estate planning out of fear of confronting their own mortality. That’s understandable, but those who work to create an estate plan often find an enormous weight lifted off of their shoulders. These individuals take comfort knowing that their...
Why do individuals try to avoid probate?
The loss of a loved one is a stressful and emotional time. For many Florida families grieving the losses of relatives, one of the last things that they will want to think about is the settlement of the decedents’ estates. When a person dies their property and assets...
Not everyone is an interested party
Many things can slow a case when a Florida will goes to probate. One thing is a challenge to the will. However, the universe of people who can file a challenge to a will is not unlimited. Before this happens, the court will need to decide that someone is an interested...
Estate Planning for the Business Owner Requires More Steps
Everyone is encouraged to set up an estate plan in a timely manner. This is a great way to allocate assets, pre-pay for all funeral costs and leave the family some peace of mind. For the business owner in Florida, there are several more steps involved in estate...
Important documents to include in an estate plan
Florida has relatively favorable estate tax laws compared to the rest of the country, but this does not mean that individuals should not create an estate plan. An estate plan can be used to help individuals or their heirs avoid certain other taxes, and they also...
Jennifer D. Sharpe
Call: (954) 361-9449