Generation Skipping Transfer Tax
The IRS assesses gift and estate taxes on transfers of assets from the taxpayer to heirs either during life or at death.
The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Litigation
Attorneys are using AI in their practices to create documents, contracts, and deposition outlines, do legal research and discovery document review, and compose emails. Attorneys must take care, however, to ensure the accuracy of their work product when they use AI.
What Happens When a Party to Litigation Dies?
If a party to litigation dies and the claims are not thereby extinguished, the court may order substitution of the proper party. After a suggestion of death is filed, any party, or the deceased party’s successors or representatives, may file a motion for substitution. Unless the motion for substitution is made within 90 days after […]
Attorney John Farina Receives “Special Commendation”
Attorney John Farina Receives “Special Commendation” 15th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, The Florida Supreme Court, and The Florida Pro Bono Coordinators March 11, 2024, Boyes, Farina & Matwiczyk today, announced John Farina receives “Special Commendation,” from the 15th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, The Florida Supreme Court, and The Florida Pro Bono Coordinators. The commendation marks […]
Attorney William E. Boyes More Than 50 Years a Practicing Florida Attorney – 53 Year Member of The Florida Bar
Attorney William E. Boyes More Than 50 Years a Practicing Florida Attorney – 53 Year Member of The Florida Bar Boyes, Farina & Matwiczyk March 5, 2024, Boyes, Farina & Matwiczyk today announced 2024 marks 53 years William E. (Bill) Boyes has been a member of The Florida Bar. This year’s milestone coincides with his law firm, […]
Holographic Wills
A will, in order to be valid in Florida, must be in writing, signed by the testator at the end of the will (or subscribed by someone in the testator’s presence and at the testator’s direction), in the presence of at least two attesting witnesses. §732.502(1), Fla. Stat. A will other than a holographic (handwritten) […]
Lady Bird Deeds
A lady bird deed, or enhanced life estate deed, is an estate planning tool that allows a property owner (the Grantor) to transfer his or her real property to one or more beneficiaries (the Grantee) upon death without having to go through the probate process. When the Grantor dies, the Grantee files the death certificate […]
Tax Exemptions in 2024
It is advisable for taxpayers to review their estate plans and their annual gifting in order to ensure that they are taking advantage of the increased estate and gift tax exemptions in 2024. The federal estate tax exemption increases to $13.61 Million per person in 2024, up from $12.92 Million per person in 2023. For […]
529 College Savings Accounts and Recent Changes
A 529 plan, known as a Qualified Tuition Plan (QTP), is a tax-advantaged savings plan sponsored by a state or state agency and designed to be used for a designated beneficiary’s education expenses. A QTP is set up to allow an individual to prepay or contribute to an account established to pay a student’s (a […]
Can a Guardian of a Ward Change a Ward’s Trust?
The short answer to this question is yes but with court approval. Florida Statute 736.0602(6) provides that a guardian of the property of a settlor may only exercise a settlor’s powers with respect to revocation, amendment, or distribution of trust property only as provided in section 744.441. Florida Statute 744.441(19) provides that, a guardian, after […]