Category Archives: Estate Administration
Revising Your Estate Plan After a Divorce
Your Naples estate plan must be reviewed and revised after any significant life event, especially a divorce. This update needs to include more than just a new will. Below are five issues that must be addressed when estate planning after a divorce in Naples, Florida. 1. Create a New Will If you were like… Read More »
Choosing an Executor
Choosing an executor is a vital part of the estate planning process, no matter the size of the estate. It is an important role that not everyone is cut out to serve. Below is a list of five things you should look for when choosing an executor for your Naples estate plan. 1. Trustworthiness… Read More »
Reasons to Establish a Guardianship
A guardian is a surrogate decision-maker appointed by the court to make either personal or financial decisions for a minor or for an adult with mental or physical disabilities (referred to as the ward). In Florida, the guardianship process is governed by Chapter 744, Florida Statutes, and guardians are subject to court oversight. There… Read More »
Second Marriage and Estate Planning
Individuals who have remarried face unique estate planning challenges in Naples, Florida. People entering their second marriage usually do so later in life when they have more property and children from previous marriages. Because of this, many of the planning strategies that work well for first marriages are inappropriate for remarried individuals. Will My… Read More »
Benefits of a Power of Attorney
A power of attorney is an estate planning tool that grants one person, a designated agent, the right to act for another person known as the principal. In a power of attorney document, you can give your agent limited or broad authority to make decisions about your property, finances, investments, or medical care. It… Read More »
Protecting Your Unmarried Partner in an Estate Plan
While creating a comprehensive estate is beneficial for all Floridians, it is essential for unmarried couples. In Naples, if a married person dies without a will, their property will pass to their surviving spouse and children. Additionally, there are special laws to protect a surviving spouse, including the elective share and homestead allowance. In… Read More »
Joint Tenancy to Avoid Probate
In Florida, the type of property ownership can affect you in probate court. If the property is held in joint tenancy with the right of survivorship, it will pass to the surviving owner outside of probate. It can have a significant impact on the administration of your estate after your death. Joint tenancy with… 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 »