The Public Nature of Probate: Why Most of Your Estate’s Information is Public Record
As a probate attorney, one of the most frequent questions I receive is: “How much of my personal business will be made public in probate?” It’s a valid concern, and many people are surprised to learn that probate cases are, by default, part of the public record. This means that the details of your estate […]
Florida Powers of Attorney – Superpowers
Granting an agent authority with a durable power of attorney can be a useful tool for the elderly or for anyone who suffers from incapacitation. The agent is permitted to act on behalf of the person when they are unable to do so themselves. Common grants of authority include paying bills and signing documents. But […]
Does being named as Personal Representative in a Will avoid Probate?
Many people come to us and say “But I was designated as Personal Representative in the Will so we don’t need to open a probate case, right?” Unfortunately, the answer is “No.” Being named as a Personal Representative (also known as an executor or administrator) in a will does not avoid probate. A Will […]
Do I really care if the property ends up in Probate?
The answer is YES!!! If someone passes away without taking any steps to ensure their property passes to their loved ones outside of court, their property will need to be probated. This means that someone has to open a court case and ask a judge to distribute the property (or sell it in the estate). […]
Should You Add Your Minor to The Title of Your Property?
One of the questions I am asked the most is about adding children to title, and almost always, my answer is a resounding NO. In Florida, adding a minor to the title of your property can have legal and financial implications that you should carefully consider and understand the implications of doing so. While it […]
Planning Your Own Funeral (ew, we know, but ya gotta do it!)
Everything You Need to Know About Planning Your Own Funeral Words and Resources Collaborated with Sara Bailey at thewidow.net. While death is a natural and inevitable part of life, most people don’t like thinking about their mortality. As a result, families are often unprepared to make post-death decisions and can have a tough time […]
Securing Your Financial Future Without Social Security or Medicare
With the future of Social Security and Medicare uncertain, it’s more important than ever to take steps to secure your financial health. Fortunately, there are several reliable strategies you can use to maximize your savings goals and secure your financial future without relying on government programs. In this blog post, James Hall with www.SeniorCareFitness.com discusses […]
Creating a Successful New Marriage as a Senior
(Guest Article; Words by: Harry Cline at newcaregiver.org) No matter what age you are, getting married can bring a multitude of benefits. Along with the obvious companionship that comes with finding a spouse, there can be a number of legal and financial benefits that come your way as a side effect. If you’re currently […]
Estate Planning in Your 20s and 30s
Author: Sara Bailey (https://thewidow.net/) Preparing for retirement and undertaking estate planning are crucial and have profound effects on your later quality of life and on your children, if you have any. Deciding how to distribute your assets once your life has concluded empowers you to control your legacy and benefit your loved ones. Many people […]
What Is a Personal Representative and What Does He/She Do?
When people think about Wills, the focus is usually on property: whether that is the house, money, cars, the old jewelry collection, or whatever else the deceased may have owned. While that is a big part of the story when it comes to estate planning, the person who is chosen to be personal representative can […]