No Contest Clauses in Florida

A No Contest Clause, or In Terrorem Clause, is a provision often used in Wills & Trusts stating that if a beneficiary disputes any part of the Will or Trust […]

Estate and Gift Tax Exemptions 2022

As of 2022, the following Estate and Gift tax exemptions are in effect: Estate Tax Exemption – $12,060,000 (U.S. Citizens and Residents) Annual Gift Tax Exemption – $16,000 (U.S. Citizens […]

Aretha Franklin's Estate

Aretha Franklin’s Will Found in Sofa

By Susan Teel Are you storing your will under the sofa cushions? Have you considered the best storage location for your will – your most important financial document?  Would you […]

Estate Tax Exemption 2019

Estate and Gift Tax Exemptions 2019

As of 2019, the following Estate and Gift tax exemptions are in effect: Estate Tax Exemption – $11,400,000 (U.S. Citizens and Residents) Annual Gift Tax Exemption – $15,000 (U.S. Citizens […]

Auto Accident

Probate & The Florida Wrongful Death Act

Wrongful death claims in Florida always require a probate administration. This is true whether it’s because of accident or medical malpractice.  Florida’s Wrongful Death Act requires a wrongful death action […]

Do Trusts Really Avoid Probate?

The simple answer is no.  Trusts by themselves do not avoid probate, but they make probate avoidance possible.  Think of the trust agreement as a box.  Anything put in the […]

Formal Probate Administration

If someone dies owning assets in his or her name alone (“probatable assets”), there must be a probate court proceeding to determine who is to receive the assets. In other […]

Summary Probate Administration

If someone dies owning assets in his or her name alone (“probatable assets”), there must be a probate court proceeding to determine who is to receive the assets. In other […]

Probate & Probate Avoidance

When an individual dies in Florida or while owning real property in Florida, probate is the procedure used to transfer his or her assets to the proper heirs. Some assets […]

Creditors’ Claims

One of the primary purposes of Probate is to ensure creditors of the deceased individual (“decedent”) have an opportunity to make a claim against the estate. The Personal Representative (“PR”) […]