We have often discussed how a proper estate plan can help your loved ones to avoid probate court after you pass away. Wills and trusts are two of the documents that can help your loved ones to settle your estate without having to go through long proceedings and the expense that is associated with...

In our post last week, we discussed how people are handling an estate have to be able to handle the fiduciary responsibilities that come along with the duties. The fact of the matter is that not everyone is able to handle those responsibilities on his or her own. Instead, they need to know that t...

Have you ever wondered how your heirs will handle your debts when you pass away? The answer to that question is one that many people don't think about. Some people think that debts are simply erased when a person dies; however, that isn't the case. When you pass away, your heirs will be left deal...

While most people think about wills and trusts when it is time for estate planning, Some people don't think about life insurance. Life insurance, however, can be a very valuable tool when planning for taking care of your final arrangements and final expenses. A good life insurance policy can help...

In our last post, we covered some of the people who play a part in the estate process after you pass away. One of those people was the personal representative, which is known as an executor in some places. In Florida, the personal representative's job is to handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes t...

People who are taking care of estate planning matters often want to make sure they fully understand how estate planning choices will affect their loved ones. Our Florida readers might like to know some basic factors about probate administration to help them make informed choices about estate plan...

Some people have an idea of what they want to happen at their funeral or memorial service. If you do have things you want to happen, it is vital that you let those who are in charge of your final arrangements know about those wishes. One way to do that is through proper estate planning. While man...

There are many aspects of your life to think about when you are creating an estate plan. You have to decide what will happen to your real estate, vehicles and bank accounts. Don't forget about retirement accounts, investments and insurance policies. On top of all of those, you also have to think ...

Many people love their pets like they are their children. For some of those people, the desire to take care of their pets if something happens to them is very real. Pet trusts are one option that Florida residents have to ensure their pets are cared for when they die. What is a pet trust? A pet t...

When your loved one passes away, you might be ready to immediately handle their estate so that you can move forward with your life. Understanding some basic information about the probate process in Florida might help you as you embark upon the process. How long will it take to get the estate prob...

Have you thought about who will oversee your affairs after you pass away? If you haven't, now is a good time to think about that. Once you determine who the best choice is, you can name that person as the executor over your will. As you think about who should fill that role, it is important that ...

When you are creating an estate plan, you have probably heard about making a will that outlines where you want your property to go after you pass away. There is another option that you can use to complement the will. That option is a trust. A trust is a legal arrangement that holds your assets fo...

When you learn that a loved one has passed away, you are likely to go through a variety of emotions. Once you go through those, you might learn that you are the person who is going to have to make the final arrangements and deal with the person's estate. Being prepared for those responsibilities ...

There are certain factors that can make an estate plan a little more complex than usual. One of these factors occurs when the will testator is on a second or subsequent marriage. Blended families pose some very unique challenges when it comes to estate planning, but that isn't a reason for adults...

By now, readers of this blog have probably come across the term “executor” at some point or another. Some readers might wonder exactly what an executor does when it comes to probate. If you are one of those readers who wants to know about the duties of an executor, you are in luck. An executor is...

Thinking of your daily activities, you probably spend a lot of time online. From social media accounts to blogs and other digital media, people tend to use the Internet a lot. As your presence online grows, so might the need for you to include those digital assets in your estate plan. Florida res...

Creating a will can be frustrating for Florida parents. When they have more than one child, there can be disagreements about which child has received more financial assistance from Mom and Dad. But when it comes time to create a will, most parents will make sure each child receives an equal amoun...

Anyone who has been following this blog knows how important it is to update their estate planning documents on a regular basis. There is another step you need to take to ensure that your estate plan is set up exactly how you want it. That step is to check beneficiary designations on your financia...

The importance of proper estate planning is something that is often discussed here. The recent passing of Florida sports magnate Malcolm Glazer is highlighting just how important estate planning can be for someone with considerable assets. Glazer has been ill since 2006, so he had ample time to w...

Let's face it, estate planning isn't something that is pleasant to think about. It is a rather dismal subject that many people choose to ignore. By ignoring estate planning necessities, you might actually be making things more difficult for your family members who will be left behind when you pas...

Almost all adults know full well the importance of having a will. For some people, the desire to get their will done might lead them to try to get it taken care quickly through a one-size-fits all document. However, this might not provide the protection necessary for their wishes to be followed w...

For many people, going through a divorce means having to rethink a lot of the things they once took for granted. Things like paying the bills, figuring out how to run a home by yourself and taking care of everyday things usually takes precedence. There are some other things that you should take c...

For some people, creating an estate plan is a seemingly simple task. They create a will and take care of end-of-life decisions and then call it a day. That, however, might leave a good estate planning tool untouched. That estate planning tool is the trust. Traditionally, trusts have been a way fo...

College students often continue to rely on their parents even while away at school. Parents may be helping pay for college, providing sending spending money and even free laundry service when the student comes home for breaks. But not everyone maintains a financial and close personal relationship...

Many of our recent posts have focused on that fact that it is easy to procrastinate when thinking about your estate plan. Apparently, we are a nation of procrastinators. According to a 2012 survey by the legal information website FindLaw, only 35 percent of Americans actually have a will. But may...