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By an Estate Planning Attorney Serving Sarasota and Venice areas As families prepare for the back-to-school season, it’s a good time to revisit the legal protections you’ve put in place for your children, particularly who would care for them in the event something unexpected happens to you. Naming a guardian is one of the most…
In Florida estate planning, families often ask whether they should add someone to their bank account—and if so, should that person be a co-owner or just a signer? This seemingly simple decision can have significant legal and financial consequences. Let’s break down what each role means and when one might be preferred over the other….
When music legend Jimmy Buffett passed away in 2023, he left behind a legacy of island escapism—and a substantial estate reportedly worth over $275 million. But even the most carefully laid estate plans can run into turbulence. A year after his death, Buffett’s widow, Jane Slagsvol, is embroiled in litigation with one of the trustees…
By a Florida Bar-Licensed Estate Planning Attorney As summer winds down and the second half of the year begins, it’s the perfect time to review your estate plan. Life changes quickly: marriages, births, relocations, and even economic shifts can impact your estate strategy. A mid-year check-in allows you to correct errors, update your documents, and…
Sonny Bono was known for his success as a singer, actor, and politician—but when he tragically died in a 1998 skiing accident, he left behind something that shocked the legal world: no will. While Bono’s life was colorful and high-profile, his lack of basic estate planning led to complications that could have easily been avoided….
By a Florida Bar-Licensed Estate Planning Attorney Owning a vacation home in Florida, whether along the Gulf Coast or nestled in a quiet residential area of Venice, offers your family a treasured retreat. But without proper planning, this asset can also become a source of confusion or conflict after your passing. This article explains how…
If you’re creating an estate plan in Florida and own a boat—whether it’s a modest fishing skiff or a luxury cruiser—you may be wondering: should that boat be placed into your revocable trust? The answer depends on your goals, the boat’s value, and how your assets are structured. Let’s look at the key considerations. Why…
Guidance from a Florida Bar-Licensed Estate Planning Attorney Estate planning is intended to provide peace of mind, not conflict. Yet too often, disputes among family members arise after a loved one’s passing, turning what should be a time of remembrance into legal and emotional turmoil. If you’re concerned about preventing family conflict over your will,…
The recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) marks a significant shift in estate planning for high-net-worth families. While the bill has not yet been signed into law, it has already passed the House and is expected to be enacted soon. Here’s what you need to know about how this legislation affects your estate…
By a Florida Bar–licensed attorney experienced in estate planning As the fireworks fade and summer unfolds, now is the perfect time to reflect on the deeper meaning of independence, not just as a national celebration, but as personal empowerment over your life and legacy. True freedom includes the ability to make intentional choices about how…
On July 4, 2025, Congress passed—and President Trump signed—the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping piece of legislation that dramatically reshapes taxes, federal benefits, and spending priorities. For Florida residents, the bill’s effects are especially important to understand. Our state has a high share of seniors, Medicaid recipients, and working families who may gain or…
When preparing an estate plan or administering a probate estate, one of the first questions an attorney must answer is: Where was the decedent domiciled? This simple question can have significant legal consequences. Domicile affects everything from which state’s probate laws apply to whether certain tax benefits or exemptions are available. What Is Domicile? Domicile…
A summer wedding is often a time of celebration, but when families come together through marriage, estate planning becomes more than just a financial task, it’s a necessity. Blended families present unique challenges when it comes to ensuring assets are distributed fairly and wishes are clearly honored. Without proper planning, unintended conflicts or probate disputes…
When an individual passes away owning property in more than one state, their estate may need to go through a legal process known as ancillary probate. In Florida, this often affects out-of-state heirs who inherit real estate, timeshares, or other tangible assets located within the state. If you are an executor or beneficiary managing an…
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…