Everything you own at the time of your death will be transferred to your heirs. However, not all your property will pass through probate. Let’s provide an example. When Chase died, he left behind property that included two homes, three cars, several retirement accounts, a thriving business, and a saltwater fishing boat.  The personal representative of...

A family limited partnership is frequently the choice of forward-thinking, successful parents who recognize the need to protect their assets and provide for the generations that follow.  Consider the story of Gene and his wife, Charlotte, who own several prosperous restaurants in Port St. Lucie, Stuart,  and Palm City, Florida. As they begin their annual estate...

Have you had a loved one recently pass away? The passing of a loved one is a difficult time. It not only brings a mix of emotions, but the legal intricacies of a Florida probate can be daunting amidst the emotional upheaval. One significant aspect that can arise during the Florida probate process is dealing with...

The world mourned the loss of the "Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin, in 2018. Even in her passing, however, the iconic singer's legacy was accompanied by a legal battle over her estate. The dispute over Aretha Franklin's last will and testament has highlighted the importance of proper estate planning and the potential consequences of inadequate preparation....

Experiencing the loss of a cherished loved one is never an easy process; discovering that there are legal complications and probate that can come along with their passing can add to that stress. So how do you choose a probate attorney near you in Florida? The first question you may be asking is “What even is...

Did you know that if you die without a will in the state of Florida, the distribution of your assets will be determined by the laws of intestacy?  Under Florida law, the assets will be distributed to the deceased person's spouse and/or children, if any. If the deceased person is unmarried and has no children, the...

Are you a Florida resident? Do you want to have your estate avoid probate when you pass away? In fact, are you planning for your estate to not go through probate when you pass away because you have created a Florida last will and testament? The fact that you have created a Florida last will and...

Are you thinking about looking into ways your estate could avoid probate? Are you wanting to protect your beneficiaries from the often lengthy and expensive nature of the probate process? There may be several tools you can put in place to avoid probate. However, often mistakes are made which render these tools ineffective. There are three...

Can I do my own probate?  Are you an aging adult who loves DIY projects? Do you make Halloween costumes for your grandchildren, bake your own bread or create picture albums for family members? Do you take pride in still being active with your DIY projects? You should. However, are you contemplating a do-it-yourself estate plan?...

Estate planning is of critical importance to all Floridians. While research continues to show us that many individuals mistakenly choose not to plan ahead, we often find that this comes from a lack of understanding. Often, potential clients share with us a number of reasons why planning remains unimportant. From “I don’t have enough assets to...