Recent Blog Posts
Ancillary Probate Administration in Florida
Florida is one of the most popular places in the country to retire. The favorable tax laws and absence of harsh winters draw people from all walks of life, and many own properties in more than one state. Vacation homes and seasonal condos are amazing investment opportunities that many retirees take advantage of, while… Read More »
5 Must-Knows for Starting Your Business
Business litigation suits can sprout from any number of places. When you start your own business, you are faced with a host of different decisions, various forks in the road. Every decision you make leads to the next one, and the next. There are many complexities to navigate – least of all the complex… Read More »
What is Trust Accounting?
Trust accounting is a crucial aspect of managing a trust. This crucial accounting process ensures that the trust assets are reported, managed, and distributed transparently. The importance of this task cannot be understated, so it is critical that personal representatives understand the issue. In Florida, specific rules and regulations have been developed to govern… Read More »
Does the Losing Side Pay my Attorney’s Fees?
Broadly speaking, there are two approaches to the payment of the winning, or “prevailing,” party’s attorney’s fees at the conclusion of a civil litigation suit. The “English Rule” In some other countries outside of the U.S., courts recognize and apply the “English Rule” for determining responsibility for attorney’s fees: the losing party will usually… Read More »
Can an Executor Take from the Estate?
There are a lot of different aspects to working an estate through the Florida probate process. One issue that can arise is an Executor of an estate taking money from the estate. But – is it legal to do that? Is this a legitimate action, tied to reasonable fees, perhaps…or is it something more?… Read More »
What is Revocation of Probate?
We have all heard about challenges to a last will and testament, or the validity of a will being in question. “Revocation of probate” refers to the action of vacating a previous court order to admit a last will and testament into probate. This article will review some of the most important items to… Read More »
A Revocable Trust: When You Don’t Know What to Do
Everyone has heard that they should get their estate in order. Everyone recognizes the wisdom in this. Even if they do not fully grasp the specific nuances, most people have a vague understanding the inheritance will come easier if a last will and testament and other estate building tools are employed. However, when push… Read More »
FAQs for Wills and Probate Attorneys
Whatever your past experience with Florida probate and/or estate planning, anyone and everyone can benefit from an initial consultation with a wills and probate attorney. Making the most of an initial consultation requires active participation, and a back and forth conversation so your attorney can better assess your situation and advise on your unique… Read More »
What Is Mortgage Fraud?
Mortgage fraud is a complicated issue that has dramatically affected the United States for several years. This is particularly true for Floridians. Mortgage fraud is recognized at the federal level, the Federal Bureau of Investigation treating it as a subcategory of financial institution fraud. Specifically, mortgage fraud is a financial institution fraud that is:… Read More »
Can a Premarital Agreement Affect Your Probate Estate?
Premarital agreements– aka prenups–are most often associated with a couple divorcing. This may very well be true, but a divorce is not the only thing that a prenup might affect. Prenuptial agreements – and postnuptial agreements – can also be drafted to address what will happen to various assets should either of them die… Read More »