For many of us, pets are part of our family and when we leave this world, we want to make sure they are taken care of. There is an option to create a pet trust, which will ensure they have the financial resources they need. Creating a pet trust The first step is to...
Crystal River Florida Legal Blog
Creating an accurate and valid Florida estate plan
With winter approaching, many older residents in the northern states travel to Florida to spend the cold months. While some make a complete move to the state following retirement, others seek to maintain two households to spend the different seasons. While owning...
Worrisome pedestrian fatality numbers spark safety initiatives
Many pedestrian accidents stem from driver recklessness and illegal behavior. With severe injuries and death, people who have been impacted need to understand what they can do in the aftermath. Pedestrian fatality statistics are troubling Given the pedestrian risk,...
Three signs that the fiduciary duty has been breached
Trustees and estate executors are instilled with large responsibilities. By the nature of their role, they are tasked with putting the interests of the estate and its beneficiaries first. That might sound easy enough, but all too often allegations are made that these...
Avoid these mistakes when administering an estate
Estate administration is a big responsibility. And if you’ve never been tasked with the duties associated with this role before, then you might worry about carrying out your responsibilities as intended. To avoid an undesirable outcome, you’ll want to avoid some of...
What are the tax-related duties of an estate administrator?
When an estate enters probate, the court appoints an administrator to manage transactions and carry out tasks on behalf of the deceased. As a legal representative, this person must complete various tasks regarding the estate. Their responsibilities usually include...
Should you appoint a loved one as your personal representative?
An integral part of estate planning is appointing a personal representative as your fiduciary and fiduciary to your estate. If you have a will, you name an executor. If you have a trust, you assign a trustee or successor trustee, depending on the kind of trust you...
What happens when a decedent has property in more than one state?
Because Florida is a warm winter “home away from home” for a lot of people who spend their summers in the north, it’s not unusual for someone who dies in another state to have property and other assets in this one. Because probate laws and procedures vary between...
Understanding Florida’s homestead laws in estate planning
When it comes to estate planning in Florida, one critical consideration that homeowners must not overlook is the state's unique homestead laws. Florida's homestead laws provide significant protections for primary residences, making them an essential aspect of estate...
What do you do if someone left multiple wills?
When you agree to be the executor of someone’s estate, you hope it won’t be too difficult. When they pass away, however, you may discover all sorts of issues that make it far more complex than you thought. One of the biggest problems is the existence of multiple...