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Marriage and Wills

Going to the Chapel and You're Gonna Get Married? Florida Updates Your Will Automatically

By tradition, last month (June) was the month of weddings. In all of that wedded bliss, then, maybe seeing an estate planning attorney was not at the top of your list. On one hand, you’re safe: Florida adds your spouse to your will in your esta… Read More
Categories: Wills
Elective share

Florida's Elective Share: Why a DIY Approach Usually Does Not Work When Disinheriting Your Spouse

Imagine that two people, later in life, decide to get married. Both of them have their own wealth and savings. They each have established large retirement accounts, and they have savings set aside they want to pass to their children. Sure, they want… Read More
I Love You Will

Let’s Talk About Love*: Is a Simple “I Love You Will” Enough?

Many general legal practitioners will offer an “I love you will” to their married clients as a simple—and less expensive—means of estate planning. After all, simple sounds nice. And less expensive often gets people in the door. And who do… Read More
Wrongful Death and Your Estate

Wrongful Death and Your Estate

Most people have heard about personal injury lawsuits (and we’ve almost all seen the commercials). Someone brings these lawsuits when he is injured, for example, due to someone else’s negligent or intentional act. The damages are, in essence, int… Read More
Wooden gate and Disinherit Title

“I Think I Love You”* But Perhaps I Don’t Want to Leave You Anything: Deciding to Disinherit a Child

Several news sources in December covered the revelation about David Cassidy’s will: he disinherited his daughter. When I saw this story about David Cassidy, two things jumped out. What his family might have wanted to be a private issue is now publi… Read More
Categories: Wills
Everyone Needs Estate Planning

Who Needs an Estate Plan? Everyone!

If you already have an estate plan, well done! Granted, life brings changes. Those changes can necessitate updates to your plan. Your estate-planning attorney can help make sure your wishes remain in effect. For everyone else, we often see two types… Read More
Blended Families in Florida - Providing for spouses, children and stepchildren.

The Blended Family: Providing for Spouses, Children and Stepchildren

When dividing property, fairness is essential, but it’s also subjective. Thinking about wills and who you want to inherit your assets is difficult for anyone, but the process is more complex for blended families. Some of the same rules apply. M… Read More
Avoid unintended consequences from using a DIY deed

Don’t Let These Four Key Account Types Fall Through the Cracks: Name Your Beneficiaries

Your estate planning—that part naming whom you want to have things after you die—involves more than your will. You should also select whom you want to receive various accounts you have. These accounts can be given directly to those persons you na… Read More
Dividing Propety for Blended Families

The Blended Family: Considerations for Dividing Property

Estate planning for blended families is a complex subject. The process may involve unique challenges because an absolute answer for determining how property should be handled does not exist. This post will give you an overview of some property distri… Read More
Categories: Trusts, Wills
If you have a Will before getting married in the state of Florida, make sure the important things don't change.

Going to the Chapel? Going to get Married?

Ah, weddings. Joy. Bliss. Love. The blending of two hearts. And two lives. And bank accounts. And assets. And one of those five reasons discussed earlier to update your estate plan. If you don’t update your estate plan before jetting off on the… Read More
Categories: Wills