For a business owner, there are essentially just two options when determining how that business fits into the estate plan. The first is to sell the business and leave the money to the heirs. The second is to create a business succession plan to leave that company to...
You have multiple children and grandchildren (or hope to have grandchildren one day). You want to make sure that the wealth you’ve worked hard to accumulate is handed down to them equally. Two terms with which you should become familiar are “per stirpes” (which means...
When you started to write your estate plans, you quickly discovered that dividing up the real estate, bank accounts, insurance policy dividends and other major assets was pretty easy. Once everything was settled or sold, you just wanted the money divided between your...
Estate planning can provide peace of mind for you and financial security for your loved ones—but only if it is properly handled. Mistakes in the process can rob you of a peaceful mindset and leave your family members to untangle unintended complications. You can help...
One of most people's goals, as they develop their estate plan, is to prevent their loved ones from having to deal with probate after they’re gone. However, if you live in Florida and own property in another state, they may still have to deal with ancillary probate if...
You’ve got some real concerns about the way that a loved one is spending their money or handling their finances. Maybe your mother has started gambling on Keno machines or you're worried that your father will get talked into another shaky “investment opportunity” by...
As an individual grows older, their thoughts may turn to the disposal of their possessions according to their wishes. The only way to accomplish this is for the person to write out a will, have it witnessed, then sign it. One Florida requirement is that the person may...
Careful thought went into creating your estate plan from deciding upon guardians, choosing beneficiaries who will receive your assets along with the executor who will help settle your estate. And you understand that every time a major life event or change takes place,...
Estate planning can involve many different kinds of documents. For many testators, the only document they worry about is a last will. Others need a more comprehensive plan include other documents. Trusts are popular inclusions in modern estate plans because they give...
If you had to guess at the percentage of people who have an estate plan, would you assume that it is pretty high? After all, everyone needs to have a plan someday. We all have assets, and we will all eventually leave them behind for the next generation. It seems like...
