Author Archives: Chris M
Estate Planning & Healthcare Needs
With the COVID-19 pandemic still showing no signs of abating, the need for estate planning has unfortunately risen, especially in Florida and other places where there is a disproportionate share of vulnerable people who may be more likely to contract the disease. One of the most crucial issues that must be dealt with in… Read More »
What Happens In A Formal Probate Administration?
When someone passes away, whether they have a Last Will and Testament or not, their estate must go through a process called probate, so as to ensure that the decedent’s wishes are respected (or that the proceeds of the estate are distributed according to Florida law). Some estates may be processed summarily, but the… Read More »
Estate Planning For Blended Florida Families
A significant majority of U.S. families are blended in this day and age. Marriages are more likely to end than they once were, leading to more stepfamilies and nontraditional living situations. When it comes to estate planning, however, the law has not necessarily caught up with the evolution of the ‘average’ U.S. family, and… Read More »
Claims Of Undue Influence In Florida Probate
In most cases, when a deceased person’s will is submitted to probate, the process is fairly uneventful, and the assets and debts of the deceased are disposed of appropriately. However, in some cases one or more heirs may bring a claim of undue influence against another person, and if this happens, it can throw… Read More »
Holographic and Nuncupative Wills in Florida
Preparing a will is often a simple matter for the average person, especially if they do not have very many assets to convey. However, not everyone chooses to enlist an attorney to help them create their wills, even though they arguably should. Sometimes individuals will choose to either handwrite their wills or even dictate… Read More »
Navigating Florida Probate
When most people lose a loved one, the last thing on their mind is legal proceedings. However, in order to be able to receive any bequest granted to you by the deceased person, it is necessary to submit their estate to probate. Probate is the legal process by which an estate is distributed, and… Read More »
What Type Of Trust Is Right For Your Situation?
When a person is thinking about estate planning, very often they will entertain the possibility of establishing a trust to help disburse their assets, particularly if they want to avoid probate. However, there are several different types of trusts that can be established under Florida law, and without the right legal help, you may… Read More »
Exploding Myths About Florida Estate Planning
Estate planning can be a complex and intimidating endeavor for anyone, regardless of how much wealth they have (or do not have). Too many people try to do it themselves, instead of relying on the advice of a legal professional. Because there is so much information out there, though, the average person can be… Read More »
Does A Single Person Need Estate Planning?
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau states that in 2018, there were approximately 110.6 million unmarried people in the country, with 63 percent of them never having been married. Given the lack of family, it can be understandable as a single person to assume that estate planning is unnecessary; after all, many single people… Read More »
What Does Having A Florida Domicile Mean For Me?
Many people come to Florida for visits, or choose to stay for part of the year, but return to other states when the weather changes. Some, however, choose to stay. While one is not required to officially become a Florida resident, if someone does choose to legally adopt Florida as their domicile, it may… Read More »