Tagged: beneficiaries

…Some Florida residents have the misconception that writing a will is unnecessary unless they are wealthy. This is in most cases not true, and people may benefit from having one in place no matter the size of their estates. Having a valid will can ensure that the testator’s assets are distributed to the intended beneficiaries instead of being subject to the state’s law of intestacy, which in some cases may produce a far different result than the one the testator had wanted.

…There are several common mistakes that Florida residents make regarding wills. Some people fail to write one in the first place, either because they consider doing so is an arbiter of their death or they simply put it off, thinking it is something to do when they are elderly. Others write wills and then forget about them, failing to update them or review them despite having major life changes.

…While many parents wish to spread their estates equally among any adult children, this is often easier said than done. If one child earns more, it may be tempting to provide the other children with more money to protect their financial future. However, an unequal payout could lead to animosity between the surviving children.

…Some Florida residents may be interested in setting up a trust for their beneficiaries. The type of trust that might be used varies. However, a trust is an effective way to care for loved ones if it is chosen carefully. An asset protection trust is one way the grantor could initiate trust planning so the assets intended for beneficiaries are protected.

…When a person dies in Florida, either a designated executor or a person appointed by the court will serve as the decedent’s estate administrator. During the preparation of their wills, it is important for testators to be careful when choosing an executor for their estate in order to make certain the person is competent, able and trustworthy enough to carry out the tasks involved.

…Many people move to Florida to retire. As a result, Florida has become a national hotbed for probate and estate planning. Several Florida property owners seek to structure their estate plans in order to allow assets to pass more easily to beneficiaries with the advice of area law firms.

Some professionals suggest first creating a living trust and then transferring title of real estate from an individual to the estate.

…Estate planning is something that many families avoid, sometimes until it is too late. Others believe they have done enough, but minor details end up being a great hassle to heirs unexpectedly. It is a good idea for Florida residents to follow some simple guidelines to ensure that their estate is handled the way they expect it to be after their death.

…There are two main types of trust that an individual may choose from when creating an estate plan. The first type of trust is referred to as a living trust, and its terms may take effect while a person is still alive. Alternatively, a testamentary trust may be established, which is part of a will and takes effect after an individual passes on.

In Florida, after people write wills, there are sometimes changes in circumstances that necessitate making changes to the beneficiaries of the will. Sometimes people have a child after the will was written. In other cases, a person gets divorced from a spouse that was named as a beneficiary in the other will.