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, […]
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 […]
Who Will Speak for You? Why Every Florida Adult Needs a Health Care Surrogate
When most people think of estate planning, their minds go to wills, trusts, and financial inheritances. But one of the most critical elements of any comprehensive plan—especially in Florida—is making […]
Estate Planning for Parents: Securing Your Child’s Future
April is National Financial Literacy Month, a time when families are encouraged to build financial awareness and take proactive steps toward protecting their future. For parents, estate planning is one […]
Navigating Ancillary Probate in Florida: What Snowbirds Need to Know
Understanding Ancillary Probate in Florida Florida is a popular destination for seasonal residents, often called snowbirds, who own vacation homes or other real estate in the state. While enjoying Florida’s […]
Spring Forward: Estate Planning Tasks to Refresh Your Legal Documents
As the season of renewal begins, many people take the opportunity to declutter their homes and refresh their surroundings. But spring cleaning shouldn’t just apply to your home—it’s also the […]
The Role of Power of Attorney in Estate Planning
Planning for the future is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure that your financial and medical affairs are managed according […]
Healthcare Power of Attorney vs. Designation of Health Care Surrogate in Florida
Understanding the Right Medical Decision-Making Document in Florida Planning for the future includes more than just financial decisions—it also involves ensuring your medical preferences are honored if you are unable […]
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 […]
How to Choose the Right Trust for Your Family’s Future
When planning for the future, one of the most important decisions you can make is determining how to protect your family’s assets. Trusts are a powerful estate planning tool that […]
Common Probate Mistakes to Avoid: Protecting Your Loved Ones
The probate process is an essential legal procedure that follows the death of a loved one. It involves the distribution of assets, payment of debts, and ensuring that the decedent’s […]
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 […]