When Floridians make plans to provide for their loved ones after they are gone, it is estate planning that ensures that their wishes will be realized. After basic documents such as a will, a financial power of attorney and a living will are drawn up, some people may...
Estate Planning
When to take a second look at an estate plan
Knowing when to update an estate plan is critically important to the effectiveness of an estate plan. For an estate plan to achieve its purpose, it needs to be kept up to date and there are several important times that estate planners should double check their estate...
Improving your estate plan
An estate is your legacy, but many plans share common mistakes. Taking these steps can help assure that your estate planning meets your family’s needs and that your wishes are carried out. Basics A complete plan should be prepared and contain a will, power of...
What the wealthy can expect in new wealth tax
With a new administration comes new tax laws. It is a tradition that occurs every four to eight years, and with the new administration, many wealthy individuals want to know what is in store for them. And, the news is that they may see over a 60 percent increase in...
Why you should avoid DIY estate planning
There are a lot of online resources out there to help you do just about anything, including estate planning. A lot of people think that creating their own estate plan with the guidance of the Internet will be simple and cost-effective. While that might be true to a...
Motivating loved ones through incentive trusts
A lot of people who engage in estate planning are concerned about how their assets will be managed and used once distributed. An heir might have a history of making poor financial decisions, a beneficiary might have a substance abuse or gambling problem, or a loved...
Addressing estate taxes
Most people know that when a person passes away, their estate will need to be distributed. However, they may not be aware that they need to address estate taxes. There is general information available about estate taxes that may be useful and an attorney may be able...
Estate planning for new parents
The birth of a child is an event fraught both in excitement and anxiety. The parents are looking forward to welcoming their new child in their life but also may be concerned about the labor and delivery process. With all these thoughts it is easy to overlook one...
Are you in a blended family and worried about estate planning?
There are a lot of life events that can make estate planning more challenging. Amongst them are divorce and remarriage. While you might think that your existing will or the state’s intestacy laws will automatically allow your assets to pass to your loved ones in...
Understanding breach of fiduciary duty
When a person creates a will, he or she often names a representative to manage the estate after his or her death. The person who is responsible for administrating the estate has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries of the will and not in...

