What is a Ladybird Deed in Florida?
Learn how a Florida Ladybird Deed lets you pass your home to loved ones without probate – and why an estate planning attorney should draft yours.
Read MoreYour Doctor Signs the DNR.
Here’s Why That Matters – and What Your Attorney Can Do Instead. When someone receives a serious diagnosis – a terminal illness, an advancing heart condition, the slow progression of dementia – one of the first questions families begin to wrestle with is: What happens if things get worse? Who decides when enough is enough?…
Read More“We’ll Figure It Out”
What happens next… When Linda passed away, her family gathered in the room she loved most with sunlight coming through the windows and the smell of coffee lingering in the air. “There’s no need to worry,” her son Mark said. “Mom always told me – you kids will work it out.” Everyone nodded. They were…
Read MoreThe Risk of DIY Wills in Florida
When Sarah created her will online, she felt proud of herself. It was quick, affordable and done in under an hour. The website promised peace of mind, and for a while, she believed she had it. She even told her sister, “Everything is taken care of.” But estate planning isn’t just about having something in…
Read MoreProtect Your Family in Florida
Your decisions shape your life – they create responsibilities – legal and otherwise. They give direction and tell others what to expect. Your decisions affect every aspect of your being; but, what would happen if you suddenly couldn’t make decisions for yourself? Who would make them for you? A spouse? A friend? A parent? A…
Read MoreSnowbirds: Risks and How to Do It Right
Welcome to Florida where you’ll find sunny days, breezy nights, and never ending outdoor options for an active outdoor lifestyle. Let’s face it, spending time in Florida is easy, but many snowbirds assume that spending part of the year in Florida is enough to make it their legal home. Unfortunately, that assumption can create serious…
Read MoreTax Strategy for Married Couples in Florida
We have received many inquiries about Community Property Trusts in Florida. Florida is not a community property state, but recent changes in the law have created a powerful opportunity for married couples to take advantage of community property benefits. A Community Property Trust is a specialized estate planning tool that allows spouses to designate certain…
Read More18-Year-Olds: What Florida Families Need to Know
Ready or not, changes are coming! One day, you are celebrating their first birthday – smash cake and all, next thing you know you are sending them off to college with tears, well-wishes and memories of their childhood. Welcome to parenting an adult. Now that your child is 18, legally, everything has changed. As exciting…
Read MoreEstate Planning for People Facing Deportation
While estate planning is typically associated with what happens if an individual dies or becomes incapacitated, it is equally important when a family is facing the possibility of deportation. For immigrant families in Jacksonville and throughout Florida, deportation can have the same practical impact as incapacity. Deportation can lead to sudden separation, loss of decision-making…
Read MoreThe Power of Retitling Assets to Your Trust
An often overlooked, but extremely important advantage of using a trust in your estate plan is incapacity planning. When a trust is used as a part of an estate plan, our guidance will include specific directions to retitle certain accounts to your trust. This effectively funds your Florida Revocable Living Trust and allows you followed…
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