Warren Buffet, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is worth $82.2 billion. His estate plan provides for his children in a manner consistent with his philosophy: Leave your children enough to do anything, but not enough to do nothing. The bulk…
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Naming a personal representative (executor) to administer your estate is a serious decision. So is deciding if you want to serve as one. A personal representative is a fiduciary, required to always act in the best interest of beneficiaries. Moreover, he/she…
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On February 11, Rebecca Fierle was arrested in Marion County, Florida on felony charges of aggravated abuse of an elderly person. As disturbing as elder abuse is, this case is particularly horrifying because Fierle was a professional guardian, entrusted with…
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The deadline for Florida homeowners to apply for homestead exemption on their primary residence is March 1, 2020. The exemption can reduce the assessed value of your primary residence by as much as $50,000. There are also additional exemptions for…
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You probably think that the estate plan of one of the nation’s most prominent legal authorities would be absolutely airtight. But you would be wrong. Janet Reno was appointed U.S. Attorney General by President Clinton, the first woman to serve…
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Online web sites that allow the creation of do-it-yourself estate planning documents have some serious downsides. Among them: making it easier for people with nefarious motives to create fraudulent documents. From Arkansas comes an interesting case that illustrates the danger….
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Hear Attorney Adele Harris of The Karp Law Firm and other panelists discuss issues of importance to older women at this January 12 event presented by the National Organization for Women.
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More and more Americans are living on their own. The 2018 U.S. census revealed that there 110.6 million unmarried people over the age of 18. Of them, 63% have never been married; 23% are divorced; 13% are widowed. Most live…
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Americans collecting Social Security benefits are slated to receive a cost of living increase in 2020. Benefits will increase by 1.6%. The average retiree’s monthly benefit will increase about $24, from $1,473 to to $1,503. Also, the Social Security tax…
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Adele Small Harris Frequently I get the question, Is the state is going to take my home if I go on Medicaid benefits? The answer is no. Homestead property is protected under Florida law, even while you’re on Medicaid. Once…
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