Planning for incapacity is an important part of estate planning. There are several elements estate planners should include in their estate plan to account for possible incapacity at some point. The importance of planning for incapacity should not be overlooked. Living...
Estate Administration & Probate
Can you handle the role of an executor?
If a loved one asks you to serve as executor of their will, it may seem like a great honor. However, serving as executor is a big undertaking, and many people aren’t aware of the many responsibilities that accompany the role. An executor of a will is a person who...
Dealing with a loved one’s home as their estate executor
When your best friend or a family member asked you to be the executor of their estate, you probably said something like, "Sure, but that will be long time from now." Maybe it was and maybe it wasn't, but that day is here. The responsibilities may seem enormous, or...
What factors slow down the probate process?
When a person dies, their estate goes to probate. The length of time that this process takes varies by state. It can take anywhere from several months or years depending on the court's caseload and the complexity of the case. Other factors may slow down the...
What should you cover in your health care advance directive?
A health care advance directive is an essential part of any estate plan. In fact, many younger people who haven't gotten around to determining who they want to inherit their assets after they're gone have an advance directive in place in case they're seriously injured...
What happens when you die in Florida without a will in place
Time waits for no one, and death can happen at any time. Why leave one's heirs or loved ones with questions as to what to do with your estate? When someone dies without a will, intestate succession laws come into play. Those laws can be very complicated, and the...
What do I do if a beneficiary dies during the probate process?
The death of a loved one can be difficult for all of us. However, the death of a loved one's beneficiary during the probate process can be quite unexpected as well. It can complicate matters for you as you try to administer a Miami testator's estate.When someone dies,...
Dividing tangible items in an estate
One challenge that families in Florida may face after the death of a loved one is dividing tangible items within an estate. These are items that are often unique and may not be easily sold. Some may only have sentimental value, such as photo albums. Many families deal...
Using trusts to protect assets in an estate plan
A trust protector can play an important role in keeping assets safe from threats such as lawsuits. Florida parents often use a trust protector when they create a living trust for a child and make the child the trustee. Placing assets in the trust can also protect them...
Open communication important to estate planning
For people in Florida who want to make sure their loved ones are provided for after their death, estate planning can be an important topic of open conversation. Many people feel like they have no idea what happened with the assets of their loved ones after they passed...
