Tagged: probate litigation

…Many consumers neglect to create an estate plan because they believe planning an estate is only beneficial for those who are wealthy. They believe this because the current estate tax laws only affect a small percentage of the wealthiest in Florida and elsewhere. However, estate planning is not only designed for wealthy people to avoid estate tax, it can also be beneficial to those who are not wealthy and make a modest income.

…Financial planning is important for preparing for the future. In Florida, this can mean a variety of things, ranging from making plans to finance a child’s college education or preparing for retirement. However, one of the most important, yet commonly neglected, aspects of financial planning is estate planning. Creating an estate plan makes it easier to distribute an estate’s assets to intended beneficiaries during the estate administration process.

…Guardianships are meant to protect the interests of individuals who are not capable of doing so themselves. However, determining which people really are not able to make decisions for themselves may not be straightforward. Many cases in Florida and elsewhere may be subjective and will depend upon interpretation. There are many instances when the ward does not believe he or she requires a guardianship.

Estate planning is always a responsible and sensible strategy. Having the details of your estate clearly defined and documented can save your heirs not only countless hours of work, it also helps your loved ones understand your intentions and carry them out with as little acrimony and emotional distress as possible.

…When we die, we not only leave our loved ones behind, we also typically leave behind a number of assets. These may range from bank and investment accounts to family heirlooms, and many people in Florida and elsewhere often assume that their loved ones will divide these assets in a fair and reasonable manner prior to their death.