Your Name Is on the Mortgage. But Is It on the Title?
They are not the same thing — and confusing the two can have serious consequences for your rights to your own home. It happens more often than you might expect. A client walks into my office, grieving, stressed, or in the middle of a family dispute, and they say it: “But I’m on the mortgage. […]
The 65-Day Rule: One of the Most Powerful Trust Tax Strategies
With tax day upon us, I thought it When it comes to trust administration, timing can determine who ultimately pays the tax. The “65-Day Rule” gives trustees a limited opportunity after year-end to make strategic decisions that can significantly reduce tax liability. What Is the 65-Day Rule? The 65-Day Rule allows a trust or estate […]
How to Set Healing Goals While Navigating Grief and Loss
Words by: Annabelle Harris Miami residents facing family loss often have to keep moving while grief pulls focus in the opposite direction. For grieving individuals, the emotional challenges of grief, shock, fatigue, anger, numbness, and guilt, can make basic decisions feel heavy, and legal responsibilities can add pressure at the worst time. That’s when […]
They died… now what?
What To Do When a Loved One Passes Away: A Practical Estate Checklist Losing someone you love is overwhelming—emotionally and logistically. On top of grief, families are suddenly faced with handling an estate, navigating paperwork, and making legal decisions they’ve never had to think about. If you know me, you know I’m all about lists. […]
Getting Your Digital Ducks in a Row
Let’s be honest — estate planning isn’t exactly how most people want to spend a Sunday afternoon. But here’s the thing: getting organized now means making things so much easier later — for you and for the people you love. At its heart, estate planning is about taking care of yourself and your people. It’s […]
Suicide Prevention & Workplace Safety… What do they have in common?
For those of you who follow me on social media, you may have witnessed a rather emotional video I posted a few weeks ago. (If you haven’t seen it, click HERE) I had just finished a hearing where I represented a mother and father trying to get guardianship over their son on an emergency basis […]
When Minors Get Money: Do You Really Need a Guardianship?
Picture this: Little Juanito is minding his own business when a distracted driver decides to use the sidewalk as an extra lane. Juanito survives (thank goodness), but he’s left with medical bills, scars, and a personal injury lawyer who manages to secure a nice settlement. Great news, right? Well, not so fast—because Juanito is still […]
What To Do Immediately After Closing On a New Home
Words by: Sarah Bailey (Guest Contributor) You just closed. Keys in hand. Paperwork signed. Maybe there’s a champagne bottle chilling in the fridge, maybe not. Either way, the moment you step over that threshold, you’re no longer a shopper — you’re a homeowner. But before you start hanging curtains or dragging in furniture, there are […]
Guardianship or Power of Attorney: Which One Do You Really Need?
When it comes to planning for incapacity or helping a loved one manage their affairs, people often confuse Power of Attorney (POA) with Guardianship. Both serve the purpose of allowing someone else to make decisions on behalf of another, but the differences are significant—and choosing the wrong path can lead to court intervention, family conflict, and costly litigation. […]
Business Owners… Are you making these mistakes?
I was recently interviewed by the South Florida Women’s Chamber of Commerce and we briefly touched upon planning for business owners. I’ve had many clients over the last 15 years of my practice that, among their personal assets, own 1 or more businesses. Many clients don’t realize that you ALSO have to plan for your […]