Florida Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog


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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Last Will and Testament
Do Handwritten Wills Hold Up In Florida?
January 25, 2022

You have met with a competent Florida estate planning attorney and discussed your situation and your goals. He/she has drawn up a Last Will & Testament for you that meets your needs, fits your financial and family circumstances, and anticipates…

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Estate of James Brown, Godfather of Soul, Finally Settles
December 17, 2021

James Brown, aka the “Godfather of Soul,” died at age 73 on Christmas day in 2006. One of the first 10 inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Brown’s signature songs include “I Feel Good,” “Papa’s Got A…

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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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harry potter
Scholastic CEO’s Estate Plan Shocks His Family
August 10, 2021

Richard Robinson, the 84-year-old CEO of Scholastic Corporation, strolled on Martha’s Vineyard this past June with his two grown sons, Reece and Ben. They were shocked when their dad suddenly collapsed and died. They were in for another shock later,…

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business agreement v. last will and testament
When Your Business Agreement Doesn’t Agree With Your Will
May 16, 2021

Estate planning clients frequently come to us who are parties to business agreements such as limited liability companies, shareholder agreements, partnership agreements, corporations. These agreements routinely include clauses that govern who may inherit the shares of deceased partners. If you…

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disinherit child in Florida
Disinheriting Your Estranged Adult Child: Factors to Consider
May 13, 2021

Parents with estranged adult children: An unfortunate situation that our attorneys see increasingly often these days. Sometimes parents and their adult child have not spoken in years. Sometimes the child will stay in touch with siblings or other family members;…

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Despite Covid, 2/3 of Americans Still Lack A Basic Estate Plan
April 16, 2021

Covid has been a reality check for many of us: A brutal demonstration that life can turn upside down in an instant, and that no one is invincible. But if you think that knowledge would spur most people who do not…

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larry king
Larry King’s Widow Challenges Handwritten Will, Alleges Undo Influence
February 19, 2021

Multiple marriages, divorces, blended families:  These are circumstances that can make it challenging to devise an estate plan that withstands potential claims from disgruntled relatives. And when it comes to marriages, divorces and blended families, few were more familiar with…

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elder abuse
Surprising Estate Plan Suggests Victimizer Became Victim Of Undue Influence
January 27, 2021

Burton Pugach and Linda Riss’ life together is a bizarre saga that captured public attention years ago. Consider the title of the 2007 documentary about their relationship: “Crazy Love.” Pugach’s recent death, allegedly while he was being abused and coerced…

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