As an estate planning law firm, we are not only well-versed in the law. We’re trusted advisers. And any adviser needs information to thoroughly analyze your situation and develop the best strategies for you. So, when you meet with an estate planning attorney for the first time, what information should you bring with you? Contact Information...

We do certain things on a routine basis: change the oil in the car, get an annual physical, and perform seasonal maintenance on our homes or boats. Our estate planning documents need an occasional peek under the hood also. In fact, there are three good reasons to review your estate planning documents right now. Change in...

When setting up a revocable living trust, many people assume that one of the primary benefits to the trust is protection from creditor claims. While there are trusts that may be used to accomplish this goal, in Florida, a revocable trust does not provide protection to the trust settlor from creditors, Medicaid expenses, and more. (Contrastingly,...

When someone passes away, his or her estate may be obligated to pay federal estate tax before beneficiaries are able to receive their inheritances. There are exceptions to this type of tax; most middle class individuals are able to avoid it all together. For those with a high net-worth, however, it could result in a huge...

A Florida Land Trust is an excellent way to hold the title of many types of real estate, including business, rental, and even, in certain situations, personal real property. The trust becomes the legal owner of the property, and the trust is then ‘owned’ by the beneficiary or beneficiaries. This legal setup offers a variety of...

Gun trust attorneys like John Mangan are needed to help you "weed through" regulations like ATF Rule 41F which was signed in January of 2016 and went into effect on July 13, 2016. This new rule, which, in part, defined trustees of gun trusts as “responsible persons” (subjecting them to the same fingerprinting/photograph requirements that apply...

If you have been named as the executor of an estate in Florida (the specific term for this role is “Personal Representative”) by a loved one who has recently passed away, you will quickly realize that there are a lot of things you are responsible for. An executor is chosen to make sure the final wishes...

DIY Estate Planning Do-it-yourself or DIY estate planning is risky and, if you make even the slightest error, it can have serious consequences for your family. Estate planning involves the preparation of documents relating to the distribution of assets in the event of death. In addition to allocating personal belongings, real property, motor vehicles, and financial...

As an estate planning law firm, we constantly espouse the importance of taking the time to draft a comprehensive estate plan long before there will ever be an impending need to make your wishes known and administer the distribution of your assets. After all, when it comes to your testamentary requests, it is always better to...

Separating estate planning myth from fact is a challenging process. Some of the myths about this area of the law would even be considered comedic if they did not have the potential to be so damaging. Unfortunately, estate planning myths pervade our society. They are detrimental to your wealth, your wishes, and your loved ones. Below...