Recent Blog Posts
CAN I DEVISE MY PROPERTY TO ANYONE?
I frequently have questions from clients who ask if they can devise their property to anyone? The short answer to that question is generally yes; but, with some thoughts about the consequences of doing so. Many times, this comes down to whether siblings, children or a spouse are still alive at the time of… Read More »
I Just Want to Get Married
In 2009, Billy Smith (not his real name) fell in love with Glenda Jacks (not her real name). Unfortunately for Billy, in April of 2010, he was determined to be partially incapacitated in a guardianship proceeding due to a head related trauma when he was involved in a traffic accident. The trial court appointed… Read More »
Deeding Property to Avoid Probate – Bad Idea
Following the holidays there are a number of clients who come to see me and ask to have their children added to their property for the purposes of transferring such property at their death. In essence, they are looking to avoid probate. What they don’t realize is that such changes are fraught with potential… Read More »
Trusts and Beneficiary Powers
I often get asked by a Grantor of a trust how secure is the information and assets that are titled in the name of their trust from his or her named beneficiaries. The response most often given is that it depends on the current status of the trust. There are two statuses of a… Read More »
Land Trusts
Land trusts are traditionally used when dealing with real property that is owned by multiple owners who hold such property as tenants in common. The root problem of holding property as tenants in common comes from the fact that a co-tenant can sue the other co-tenant for partition causing the land to be forcibly… Read More »
Changes to Florida’s Elective Share
The Florida Legislature has made another revision to the Elective Share for the benefit of a spouse who was not considered (disinherited) in their deceased spouse’s estate. The Elective Share is ordinarily selected as a remedy following the death of a spouse when the surviving spouse is not included in the deceased spouse’s Will… Read More »
Is a Trust Right for Me?
For the most part, a trust, whether operable during life or after death is generally used to give its creator the ability to control the flow of a person’s property to beneficiaries following death while attempting to minimize if not avoid estate taxes. In today’s world, it might not make sense to have a… Read More »
Worried Your Estate Will Go to the State When You Don’t Have a Will
I often hear clients come into my office worried that if they don’t have a Will their assets will go to the State of Florida and not to their beneficiaries or heirs. They are often surprised to learn the likelihood of that happening is very remote. However, it is possible within the State of… Read More »
Wills, Divorce and Life Insurance
Have you ever wondered what happens to the outcome of a person’s Last Will and Testament following the divorce of a married couple? Even more interesting is what happens to a named spouse as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy when a couple divorces. The answer is fairly simple. Florida law treats the… Read More »
Homeowner and Condo Association Documents
Before you purchase your dream home or condominium, beware of the association documents and deed restrictions that come with it. The law presumes that once you sign the contract to purchase, you are put on notice as to the restrictions placed upon your property as to how you may use it. Ideally, when you… Read More »
