Florida Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog


Actress Ann Heche Had No Will: Impact On Her Children
September 15, 2022

Updated 9/18/22 The lives of celebrities are always under a microscope. So are their deaths. The latest celebrity to receive such attention is Ann Heche. The 53-year-old actress was in a fiery car crash in Los Angeles on August 5….

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beneficiaries
Don’t Let Outdated Beneficiary Designations Spoil Your Estate Plan
August 7, 2022

If you own an asset for which you have named a legitimate death beneficiary, the asset will not go to probate when you pass on.  Your beneficiary will avoid the court and the additional hassles and expenses that go with…

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Some Assets Do Not Belong In Your Living Trust
May 8, 2022

A trust can be an effective estate planning tool for clients who desire a level of control over their assets. A trust allows you to place various “qualifiers” and incentives on distributions to beneficiaries. You can direct your trustee to…

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probate court gavel
Florida Probate Delays Acute And Causing Hardships For Families
April 24, 2022

It is well-known that the probate process in Florida can be drawn out and cumbersome. That is why so many Florida residents build their estate plans around a revocable living trust, which if properly set up and funded, avoids probate….

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florida
Estate Planning Documents Every Florida Snowbird Needs
November 27, 2021

Welcome back, Snowbirds! We are writing this blog at the tail end of November. Today’s midday temperature in New York is 38 degrees; in Chicago, 34; in Boston, 35. At our Palm Beach Gardens office, it’s a glorious, balmy 70…

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Common Misconceptions About Florida Probate
September 13, 2021

You may have heard friends, relatives and neighbors talk about the Florida probate process. Chances are, not everything you’ve heard is accurate. Whether you are working with an attorney to create your estate plan or are responsible for handling the…

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Florida Medicaid
If I Apply For Medicaid, Will The State Of Florida Take My Home?
May 25, 2021

Many people have misconceptions about the rules for obtaining Florida Medicaid benefits for nursing home costs. This is not surprising, considering that the Medicaid program is vast, and its rules are complex and differ from state to state. Before clients…

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payable on death account
Payable On Death Accounts: Important Issues To Consider
March 15, 2021

Wouldn’t it be nice to know that your loved ones will get their inheritance from you without the hassles and delay of Florida probate? Most people would – and that’s why probate avoidance is a key element of so many…

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personal property in Florida estate plan
How Floridians Can Pass Tangible Personal Property to Loved Ones
September 29, 2020

For most people, the ultimate goal of estate planning is to promote family harmony. If your family members get along well, you want your plan to encourage more of the same. If they don’t, you want to avoid adding more…

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The story of two wills, one eaten by the dog
July 8, 2020

The dog ate my homework! That time-worn excuse usually gets an unprepared student an “F”. But suppose Rover isn’t interested in your homework, but in your last will and testament? That could result in an “L” – as in lawsuit. …

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