Category Archives: Estate Planning
The Importance of Detailed Records in Estate Accounting
Managing an estate, during someone’s lifetime or after their passing, requires careful attention. Executors, trustees, and personal representatives all have a legal and fiduciary duty to keep accurate, transparent records of how estate assets are managed, distributed, and accounted for. Failing to do so can lead to confusion, family disputes, and even legal challenges…. Read More »
4 Reasons Why Beneficiaries Pursue Legal Action
Those named to receive something under an estate plan are called beneficiaries. When a loved one passes away, their estate plan, including wills, trusts, and other legal documents, is meant to guide how their assets are distributed. While most estate administrations proceed smoothly, there are times when beneficiaries believe something has gone wrong. Whether… Read More »
UTC Based, but Tailored for Florida Families
As a state popular for living, retiring, and passing down wealth, Florida’s trust laws need to be strong. To create consistency and protect individuals who use trusts for estate planning, the state adopted much of the Uniform Trust Code (UTC), a model law used across the country to simplify and standardize trust administration. But… Read More »
What If Someone Dies and You’re Not Sure How to Identify Assets?
Losing a loved one is never easy, and when there is no will in place, the grieving process can become even more stressful. Families often feel overwhelmed trying to figure out what property the deceased owned, how to manage accounts, and what steps to take next. In Florida, when someone passes away without a… Read More »
Strategies for Preventing Escalating Estate Feuds
Not only about drafting documents, estate planning is a tool to protect your loved ones from unnecessary stress after you’re gone. Yet even families that get along well can find themselves in heated disputes over wills, trusts, and inheritances. These conflicts can become costly, emotional, and deeply damaging to relationships. The good news is… Read More »
What Is Self-Dealing and Favoritism in Estate Administration?
When a loved one passes away, the administration of their estate should be handled fairly, transparently, and in accordance with Florida law. Unfortunately, disputes sometimes arise when the personal representative of the estate engages in actions that raise questions of self-dealing or favoritism. It is important to be informed and know how various factors… Read More »
Courts and Resolving Disputes Over Guardianship in Florida
Guardianship is one of the most sensitive areas of elder law. It arises when an adult is no longer able to manage their own affairs due to age, illness, or disability, or when a child needs someone to handle their personal or financial matters. In Florida, guardianship is a legal relationship created and supervised… Read More »
6 Reasons Sibling Disputes Arise in Estate Matters
Comfort and unity can come from family members when someone passes away. Yet there are also situations where estate matters bring long-simmering tensions to the surface. Siblings, individuals who share one or both parents, may suddenly find themselves in conflict over inheritances, responsibilities, and family dynamics. Family disputes can complicate grieving, fracture relationships, and… Read More »
Why DIY Estate Planning Can Backfire
In today’s digital age, do-it-yourself (DIY) legal templates and online estate planning tools are popular. But while these templates may seem like a quick and cost-effective way to prepare for the future, DIY estate planning can come with serious risks. Florida law has unique requirements when it comes to wills, trusts, and other estate… Read More »
Forgery in Estate Documents and What to Do About It
Meant to provide peace of mind, estate documents are drafted so that a person’s final wishes are honored and their assets are distributed as intended. Yet that peace can be disrupted when someone suspects that a will, trust, or other estate document has been forged or tampered with. In Florida, forgery in estate planning… Read More »