Under Florida’s Trust Code there are two classes of beneficiaries, and which class you fall in is a big deal.

As defined in F.S. 736.0103(4), the term “beneficiary” refers to the entire universe of persons who have a beneficial interest in a trust, as well as to any person who has a power of appointment over trust property in a capacity other than as trustee. For purposes of this definition it’s immaterial whether the beneficial interest is present or future, vested or contingent, or whether the person having the interest is ascertainable or even living….

Issues surrounding wills executed outside of the state of Florida, or even outside of the country, may present an interesting analysis on whether the will can be determined valid in Florida.

In this recent opinion from the Fourth District Court of Appeal, the Decedent’s brother was a Haitian native, and just a few months before his death, he prepared a will pursuant to the dictates of Haitian law. Per the court’s opinion, this requires the testator to dictate the will to a Haitian notary, who transcribes it and reads it back to the testator, after which the will is signed by the testator, a notary, and 4 witnesses, and the original will is registered by the notary with the Haitian Tax Office and the notary keeps the original….

The ward in this guardianship case was found to be completely incapacitated, and the trial court imposed a plenary guardianship on him. However, the Fourth District Court of Appeal reversed, finding that the three-person examining committee made their determinations for purposes of their required reports, reporting that a plenary guardianship should be imposed, and without conducting comprehensive examinations of the prospective ward. What does this mean? As a matter of public policy, individual rights and freedoms should not be restricted unless necessary for the safety and protection of your loved one….

A probate court has the authority to appoint someone to serve as personal representative other than the statutorily entitled person to serve, if, on evaluating a person’s fitness to serve, it makes appropriate findings.

In this recent Third District Court of Appeal opinion, the trial court’s decision was reversed because it failed to make such requisite findings. Here, the decedent and his wife were married for just four days before the Decedent died. The Decedent’s father filed a petition for Administration, seeking appointment as the estate’s Personal Representative….

As the new year begins, and rather than wait for a life event to happen when you wish you had looked at your estate plan, now is a great time to review your current financial and estate plans. Even your plan that is just a few years old may be outdated, and so it may be time for an update.

For example, you may start planning for any gifts you wish to make in 2019. An individual now can give up to $15,000 to each recipient, without any limit on number of gifts;…

While the holiday season may be the busiest time of year, it’s a great time to take a look at your financial and estate planning.

As the year comes to an end, consider making gifts to lower your tax liability, and start planning for any gifts you might want to make during the next calendar year. In 2018, individuals can give up to $15,000 to each recipient, with no limit on the number of gifts. Married couples can combine their gifts, allowing them to give up to $30,000 to each individual….

Several states and foreign jurisdictions recognize the concept of “community property.” Community property generally consists of any property purchased during a marriage, as well as any income received or debts incurred. However, it generally does not include assets or debts acquired before the marriage, or inheritances or gifts received by one spouse during the marriage. When a spouse dies, the survivor is entitled to half of any assets falling within the community property guidelines.

Florida is not a community property state, but state law provides that assets qualifying as community property in other jurisdictions be recognized as such when a spouse passes away….

When constructing an estate plan, it is important to consider any art and collectibles. As anyone who’s watched an episode of Antiques Roadshow has seen, these items don’t have to be original Picassos to be monetarily valuable. Many people are unaware of the true worth of their pieces, over- or undervaluing them based on sentiment, family lore, or just plain lack of information.

The IRS defines collectibles as works of art, rugs, antiques, metals, gems, stamps coins, alcoholic beverages, or “other tangible personal property the IRS determines is a collectible.” In other words, a collectible could be anything from a sculpture to a comic book to a bottle of wine….

It’s a commonly known fact that about half of marriages will end in divorce. Certain matters are easily overlooked during this stressful process, but updating estate planning documents should not be one of them.

Under current Florida law, upon dissolution of marriage, any inheritances that would have gone to an ex-spouse will be nullified. This is true of documents such as wills and trusts, and also of certain “non-probate assets.” Non-probate assets pass to a named individual upon the grantor’s death, and may consist of property such as life insurance policies, retirement accounts and pay-on-death accounts….

The State of Florida allows residents to possess certain firearms and accessories that are regulated under Title II, Class 3, of the National Firearms Act. These items include, for example, machine guns, silencers, and short-barreled shotguns and short-barreled rifles. Historically, gun trusts were used as a way to avoid the process of applying to the for an owner’s permit. These applications had to be certified and submitted to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) by a city or county Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO), some of whom were reluctant to do so….