What Happens If a Florida Will Is Lost?
Losing a will doesn’t automatically mean the court ignores it—but there are hurdles to overcome. Florida Law on Lost Wills If a will is lost but believed to be valid, […]
Category Archives: Estate Planning
Whitney Houston’s Estate: Family Conflicts and Trust Issues
What Happened? Whitney Houston died in 2012, leaving an estate worth around $20 million. Her will directed her assets to a trust for her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, but disputes […]
Florida Lady Bird Deeds: Useful Shortcut or Probate Trap?
Florida’s Enhanced Life Estate Deed—commonly called a Lady Bird Deed—is often promoted as a way to avoid probate. While it may seem like a convenient shortcut, relying too heavily on […]
Protecting Your Important Documents During a Hurricane in Florida
As hurricane season bears down on Florida, preparing your home and ensuring your safety are top priorities. However, one crucial area often overlooked is the protection of your important documents, […]
James Brown’s Estate and Its Lengthy Legal Disputes
What Happened? The “Godfather of Soul,” James Brown, passed away on Christmas Day in 2006. Despite leaving behind a will, his estate became entangled in over 15 years of legal […]
Avoiding Estate Plan Conflicts: How to Foster Family Communication
One of the most overlooked aspects of estate planning isn’t a legal document or a financial decision—it’s the conversation. While creating wills, powers of attorney, and health care surrogate designations […]
Annual Estate Plan Review Checklist: What to Update and Why It Matters
Estate planning isn’t something you complete once and forget. Just like your finances, family dynamics, and even the law itself, your estate plan should evolve over time. That’s why performing […]
The History of Trusts: A Journey Through Time
A knight handing a deed to a barrister before departing on a crusade.
Anna Nicole Smith and J. Howard Marshall – A Tale of Marriage, Inheritance, and Legal Battles
What Happened? Anna Nicole Smith, a former model, married billionaire J. Howard Marshall in 1994, when she was 26 and he was 89. When Marshall passed away just over a […]
Michael Jackson’s Estate: Trusts and Troubles
What Happened? When Michael Jackson died in 2009, his estate was valued at around $500 million. He had established a will and a trust, but that didn’t stop legal challenges […]
The Effects of Getting Married on Your Estate Plan in Florida
Getting married is a joyous occasion that marks the beginning of a new chapter in life. However, marriage also brings significant legal and financial changes that may directly affect your […]
Heath Ledger’s Estate: Unintended Consequences
What Happened? After actor Heath Ledger passed away in 2008, his will, created years prior, left his estate to his parents and sisters. However, he hadn’t updated his will after […]
Estate Planning Tips for the Start of the Year
As we step into a new year, it’s a great time to reflect on our goals and make sure we are on track for a secure and organized future. One […]
Wills vs. Trusts: Which Is Right for You in Florida?
When it comes to estate planning in Florida, one of the most common questions people ask is whether they should create a will or a trust. Both documents are important […]
What Every Executor Needs to Know About Florida Probate Laws
Being named the executor of an estate is a significant responsibility. As an executor, you are tasked with ensuring that the decedent’s assets are properly distributed according to their will, […]
Understanding Property Tax Reassessments in Florida: Transfers That Trigger Reassessment and Exemptions
Florida’s property tax laws are designed to maintain fairness and consistency while allowing certain protections for property owners. When property ownership changes hands, the property’s taxable value may be reassessed, […]
Estate Planning for Blended Families: Key Considerations for Sarasota & Manatee County Residents
Estate planning is an essential step in securing your family’s future, but for blended families, the process can be more complex. A blended family often includes children from previous relationships, […]
How Florida Homestead Laws Apply to Mobile Homes
Introduction Florida’s homestead laws provide homeowners with significant benefits, from tax breaks to creditor protection. But how do these laws apply to mobile homes, which often occupy a gray area […]
Top 5 Reasons You Need a Living Trust in Florida
A living trust is an essential estate planning tool for many Floridians, offering significant benefits over a simple will. It allows you to manage your assets during your lifetime and pass them […]
Stieg Larsson’s Estate: Dying Without a Will
What Happened? When Swedish author Stieg Larsson, creator of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, passed away unexpectedly in 2004, he left no will. Larsson’s estate, valued at millions due […]