Call for your free consultation today!
941-365-2253
Many Florida residents make “avoiding probate” a top priority in their estate planning—but is it always necessary? Probate is the court-supervised process of distributing a deceased person’s assets. In Florida, this process can be public, time-consuming, and costly. However, depending on your assets and family situation, avoiding probate might not be essential—or might be critical….
Do you own property outside of Florida? If so, your estate plan needs special attention to avoid ancillary probate—a separate probate process in another state. Why This Matters Even if you live and die in Florida, property located in another state (such as a cabin in North Carolina or a condo in Chicago) must go…
June marks a major milestone for many families as high school seniors graduate and prepare to leave home for college. Amidst dorm shopping and campus tours, one critical step often gets overlooked: legal planning. Once your child turns 18, you no longer have automatic access to their financial or medical information. Without proper legal documents…
What Happened? When Aretha Franklin died in 2018, her family believed she had no will. Later, multiple handwritten wills were discovered, each with different instructions for her $80 million estate. The conflicting wills sparked confusion and disputes among her four sons, leading to prolonged probate litigation. The estate also faced challenges in managing her music…
Each year, Floridians prepare for hurricane season with practical steps like stocking up on supplies, securing property, and reviewing evacuation routes. But there’s another crucial task that should be part of your seasonal checklist: reviewing your estate plan. For residents in Venice and surrounding areas, taking time to update documents like powers of attorney and…
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, Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 733.207) allows it to be probated—but the person offering it must: Common Situations What If It Can’t Be Proven? If…
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 arose over the trust’s terms and management. When Bobbi Kristina tragically passed away in 2015, the estate became entangled in further legal battles over her…
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 deeds as testamentary tools can lead to complications and unintended consequences. What Is a Lady Bird Deed? A Lady Bird Deed allows you to: It’s…
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, especially estate planning documents. These papers are essential to your future and the well-being of your loved ones, making their preservation vital. Here’s how you…
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 disputes. Brown had intended for the majority of his estimated $100 million estate to fund scholarships for underprivileged children in South Carolina and Georgia. However,…
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 are essential steps in protecting your future, communicating your decisions to your loved ones can make all the difference in how those plans are carried…
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 an annual estate plan review is one of the most valuable steps you can take to protect your legacy and ensure your wishes are carried…
A knight handing a deed to a barrister before departing on a crusade.
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 year later, he left his estate to his son, omitting Smith from his will. Smith argued that Marshall intended to leave her part of his…
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 and complications. The estate faced issues ranging from IRS tax disputes to conflicts with family members over the management of his assets, music rights, and…
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 estate plan. Whether it’s your first marriage or a subsequent one, reviewing and updating your estate plan is crucial to ensure your wishes are honored…
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 the birth of his daughter, Matilda. This oversight led to disputes over whether his daughter should inherit his assets, with his family ultimately deciding to…
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 of the most important aspects of personal and financial security is estate planning. Estate planning involves preparing for the future by making decisions about how…
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 tools that serve different purposes, and understanding the differences between them can help you make the right choice for your estate plan. What Is a…
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, settling debts, and ensuring that the estate is administered according to the laws of Florida. The probate process, which is the legal procedure for managing…