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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
I Signed My Trust… Now What?
Congratulations! You’ve taken a huge step in securing your legacy and protecting your loved ones by getting your trust done. But before you pat yourself on the back and tuck that binder away for safekeeping (I know… I’m sorry), there are a few more things you have to check off your list before I can […]
What is a Letter of Intent? (And Why You Might Want One in Your Estate Plan)
Imagine this: You spend years building a legacy, carefully planning for your family’s future, and setting up a trust to provide for them. But what if, after you’re gone, your loved ones and trustees aren’t quite sure how you wanted things to play out? That’s where a Letter of Intent (LOI) comes in—a thoughtful, non-binding […]
The Estate Planning Journey
The majority of my clients come to me as pupils… not knowing what they don’t know and eager to better understand the ins and outs of planning their demise. Sounds morbid, I know, but it’s also a part of life, and honestly, part of what makes living so beautiful is knowing there will be an […]
Understanding Elective Share in Florida: What You Need to Know
As a probate attorney, I frequently meet spouses who are surprised to learn that the provisions left for them in their deceased spouse’s will are not as ironclad as they might seem (or as he or she “promised” during their lifetime…eek). In Florida, if a surviving spouse feels that the amount left to them in […]