Category Archives: Estate Planning
How Estate Planning Can Help Prevent Elder Exploitation
Older generations of Americans are vulnerable to financial exploitation by a broad spectrum of perpetrators. Unfortunately, this includes not only strangers, but also people they know, trust, and welcome into their lives. Elder exploitation cases are normally complex and can be difficult to fully investigate and pursue. Elders can lose their life savings and… Read More »
Gifting in Life vs. After Death
In Florida the estate tax, commonly referred to as the “death tax,” will only affect the estates with a taxable value that exceeds the federal estate tax threshold. In 2024 the federal estate tax threshold sits at $13.61 million for individuals. This means that married couples will only have to worry about estate taxes… Read More »
Tips for Using Photos as a Clarification Strategy in Estate Planning
Along with purely financial assets and property, clients also usually use a last will and testament (or other estate planning tools such as trusts) to pass down important sentimental items. Many families retain heirlooms that hold important value to the family, while not holding a particularly high financial value. The issue with these kinds… Read More »
Elder Exploitation and Estate Planning in Florida
It is widely understood that areas with a larger percentage of senior citizens will have a larger likelihood for incidents of elder abuse to occur. Florida stands as a retirement beacon for the rest of the U.S. and, indeed, to the rest of the world. Because Florida has such a large percentage of elderly… Read More »
Essential Florida Asset Protection and Estate Planning Strategies: Part II
In the first installment of this two part series, we began discussing the plethora of estate planning and asset protection options Florida law has for its citizens to take advantage of. Different tools serve different needs, and many options exist to help every Floridian safeguard their hard-earned assets. Today, we continue the conversation and… Read More »
Essential Florida Asset Protection and Estate Planning Strategies
Florida provides its residents with a diverse array of asset protection and estate planning strategies which can be utilized to safeguard assets from potential risk and solidify your estate plan. In this two-part series, we will generally discuss a few of the essential strategies that Florida residents can use to protect their assets and… Read More »
Key Florida Estate Planning Trusts You Should Know About
Florida law has developed to offer its citizens diverse and unique options for setting up robust estate plans and asset protection strategies. These include a number of Trusts that can be employed to manage your estate/assets in various ways. This article will go over the general basics of several trust options available to Florida… Read More »
Former Florida Mayor Loses Law License Following Estate Law Misconduct
Last spring the community of St. Augustine was rocked by the news that their former mayor, of nearly a decade, was under investigation and suspended from the Florida Bar. The Florida Bar guards the integrity of the practice of law in Florida. The Florida Bar, in conjunction with The Florida Supreme Court, are responsible… Read More »
Estate Planning for Parents
As every parent knows: everything changes when you have kids. Parts of your life that you were not worried about suddenly urgently need attention (gotta cover those electrical outlets with plastic plugs…is my dog going to be baby-friendly?…I wonder if the school district here will cut it, or we’ll have to move…) Along with… Read More »
Tips for Choosing an Executor for Your Estate
Choosing an executor for your estate can send a ripple effect that is felt for generations. Our legacy is the most important thing we leave behind – choosing the right executor of your estate is a crucial decision. Perhaps no one else has more power over the successful distribution of your assets and fulfillment… Read More »