The death of a loved one is a stressful time for family and friends. When it comes to funeral arrangements, family members are sometimes at odds over the details. One way a person can help ease the burden on those left behind is to create a plan for burial arrangements.

Arguably, the most important decisions when it comes to final arrangements are whether a person will be cremated or buried, and the location of his or her final resting place….

Most people are familiar with living wills, which generally detail procedures a person does or does not want if he or she becomes incapacitated and needs life-preserving treatment. In addition to a living will, designating a health care surrogate provides further peace of mind that a trusted individual will be making treatment decisions if a person’s ability to communicate is lost.

A health care surrogate designation authorizes a chosen individual to receive medical information and to make decisions regarding the medical care of another….

According to a 2017 caring.com survey, 78 percent of millennials (ages 18-36) don’t have a will, and many gave a lack of assets as a reason for not beginning the estate planning process. But, no matter the current size of the estate, planning ahead is always a good idea.

A will may seem pointless if there are few assets, or a large amount of student loan or other debt. Some young people overlook the value of assets they have, including retirement or investment accounts and life insurance policies….

The Florida Bar has published a chapter in the Ninth Edition of Business Litigation in Florida by Attorneys John Farina and Kenni Judd. Entitled Summary Judgment in Business Litigation, the chapter covers:

Comparison of Florida and Federal rules
When a motion may be made
Notice requirement
Evidence considered by court
Affidavits
Standard for decision
Summary judgement in actions on written instruments
Summary judgement in other actions

Read the full chapter

With current authorities, succinct discussions of complex issues, and the forms vital to handling a commercial case, the Ninth Edition of Business Litigation in Florida is a must-have for business practitioners and trial attorneys alike….

On Thursday, February 9, Partner William Boyes and Attorney Adam Sabocik will present on Alternatives to Guardianship v. The Appointment of a Guardian at Guardian Bootcamp, presented by The Estate and Probate CLE Committee of the Palm Beach County Bar Association.

View complete agenda

Partner John Farina has been selected a 2017 Top 100 Trusts and Estates lawyer by the American Society of Legal Advocates (“ASLA”) for the third consecutive year. ASLA is an invitation-only organization of elite lawyers in practice today. Less than one-and-a-half percent of licensed lawyers nationwide are members. ASLA draws its membership from lawyers who combine stellar legal credentials with a proven commitment to community engagement and the highest professional standards.

A Florida Super Lawyer, Mr….

Attorney Duane L. Pinnock has been accepted into Class II of the Florida Fellows Institute of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (“ACTEC”). The Florida Fellows Institute was created by Florida ACTEC fellows to develop the profession’s future leaders in trust and estate law through a series of in-depth educational presentations led by subject matter experts in each field. Between November 2016 and May 2017, Mr. Pinnock will participate in three, two-day educational sessions for lawyers who were nominated by a Florida ACTEC Fellow and selected through a competitive application process….

For Florida parents with children under the age of 18, the naming of a guardian for minor children is an important part of an estate plan. Generally it is relatively simple to nominate a guardian and even though it may be difficult to talk about, a guardianship plan should not be put off. In this post we will address some common issues about establishing a guardianship for minors.

Before parents can select a guardian for their children, they need to consider the people in their lives who would be a good guardian….

Boyes, Farina & Matwiczyk, P.A. today announced Partner John Farina has successfully achieved recertification with the National Board of Trial Advocacy (“NBTA”) as a Board Certified Trial Advocate. Mr. Farina has been a NBTA member in good standing for 20 years. Board Certification is the highest, most stringent and most reliable honor an attorney can achieve. Approximately three percent of American lawyers are board certified.

A Florida Super Lawyer, Mr. Farina has been assisting clients in developing estate plans and administrating complex trusts and estates for more than two decades….

Boyes, Farina & Matwiczyk, P.A. has been named Best in Estate & Trust Litigation — Palm Beach County by Florida Trend magazine’s 2016 Legal Elite. The Florida Legal Elite recognizes top attorneys practicing in the state as chosen by their colleagues. Honorees are determined through votes by members of The Florida Bar and featured in the July special report in the statewide business magazine. Lawyers were asked to name attorneys they hold in the highest regard or would recommend to others….