Estate Planning

Floridians who have family members with disabilities may want to consider setting up special needs trusts for their benefit. These are specialized types of trusts that help to provide care for disabled people after their loved ones have died. Parents who have children...

People in Florida who are creating an estate plan might not think about beneficiary designations as part of that plan. Beneficiary designations are used with assets such as retirement accounts and life insurance policies to name an heir for those assets. One woman...

Some people in Florida might have encountered the term "legacy planning." Although it may sound daunting, it is just another way of thinking about estate planning. Looking at estate planning as leaving a legacy can help a person conceptualize the process as leaving...

People who have small estates in Florida might want to help their intended beneficiaries to avoid the probate process. It is possible for small estate owners to plan their estates in such a way that their assets may be transferred after their deaths outside of the...

Florida residents who are getting a divorce might want to ensure that they make any necessary changes to their estate plans. One couple had come to an agreement about keeping their individual retirement plans and splitting the excess. However, because they did not...

Some people in Florida may think they do not need a will because they have few assets or no dependents. However, even if all a person has is a checking account, a relative may still have to go to probate court with proof the relationship in order to be appointed...

Busy entrepreneurs in Florida often have to juggle multiple responsibilities. Unfortunately, important personal finance concerns can sometimes take a back seat to immediate business issues. As a result, some entrepreneurs have estate plans that are out of date and may...

Florida residents who are being pressured to sign a power of attorney document may be wise to resist. While such a document may be critical if an individual is unable to manage his or her own affairs, it is one that should be made free from any undue influence. In...

Many people living in Florida may have an incomplete estate plan and not know it. The importance of having a will has been stressed for some time, which may in some cases lead people to believe that the document is sufficient for determining what happens to their...

Florida residents who are creating an estate plan may want to consider the duties of the executor that they will appoint. The first thing an executor must do is obtain death certificates so that various institutions and agencies such as banks, the Department of...