The first step is drafting the most basic estate planning document, a will. This legal document outlines how one wants their assets to be divided after they die. And, while, just about everyone, has heard of the document and knows its importance, only about 33% of us...
A lot of people think that estate planning is something that they don’t need, or something that is so simple that they can take care of it on their own. Both options are dangerous, though, threatening to leave your estate and your loved ones without the protection...
A last will and testament provides the means for a person to ensure that their property and assets are distributed, following their death, according to their wishes. But a will also allows the deceased to specifically exclude certain individuals from receiving any...
When it comes to estate planning, a lot of the focus is on how assets will be left to family members. But what if you’re unmarried and have distant family members? Should you forego estate planning altogether? Certainly not. This week let’s look at why estate planning...
As young adults in Florida move into their dorms and apartments to begin the new college year, their attention may be focused on their studies, meeting new people and simply enjoying the college experience. One thing that may not be anywhere on their radar is estate...
Most Floridians think that once a will is signed by the maker of the will (the “testator”), its provisions are carved in stone and cannot be changed. Fortunately, Florida statutes provide clearly stated reasons a person can challenge the validity of a will or any of...
For those in the estate planning process, they are likely familiar with a power of attorney and the concept of joint ownership. However, how these two things interact is not always clear, which leads some to question the difference. Power of attorney A POA allows...
Coping with the loss of a loved one is never easy, but doing so can be even more challenging when you run into issues with his or her estate. These issues can run the gamut of severity, and they can touch on a whole host of issues. That’s why it’s important to have a...
People in Florida plan for events which may occur in the future. This could be planning for potential car accidents by obtaining car insurance or planning for potential damage to their homes by having home owners’ insurance. People usually make a point of planning for...
Oftentimes, when Florida residents are thinking about how to craft their estate plans, they are thinking about someone else – their family members, usually, or maybe close friends or even a charity. Why? Well, because most people think of estate plans as a plan to...
Jennifer D. Sharpe, P.A.