Recent Blog Posts
Does Transferring Property To A Revocable Trust Make Things Worse?
Given the modest amount of effort it takes to establish a revocable trust and the vast amount of time and effort you can save your heirs by establishing one, it is a wonder that not everyone does it. A revocable trust lets you be in control of the assets you transfer to it as… Read More »
The Worst Choices Of Beneficiaries Of Non-Probate Assets
Non-probate assets are the key to saving money on transferring your property to your heirs after you die. Any property that you own solely, and which you have not preserved in the form of a non-probate asset, will become part of your estate and go through probate. This means that the beneficiaries of your… Read More »
Protecting Recently Deceased Family Members From Financial Crime
You might think that money is the last thing you would want to think about immediately after a family member dies, but the stress of planning a funeral is enough to make you look forward to probate. Unfortunately, there are other administrative matters you must take care of before bringing the decedent’s will to… Read More »
Downsizing Your Home For Retirement
If you have always had misgivings about the McMansion life, retirement is the ideal time to break free from it. Depending on your work situation, you might even be able to ditch your McMansion while you are still in the workforce, as long as your children have grown up and moved out of the… Read More »
Getting Real About Credit Card Debt And Your Estate Plan
Young people love to remind you that your generation had a lot of things easier than they will ever have. Homeownership was more affordable in your day, and so was everything else. Job stability and retirement pensions were easier to find. This does not mean that seniors are immune to financial hardships, though. Years… Read More »
Estate Planning New Year’s Resolutions For 2025
Congratulations on making it through 2024. Even if you still feel young, you are old enough that living to see another year counts as a victory. You are too old for unrealistic New Year’s resolutions like eliminating all enjoyable foods from your diet or becoming fabulously wealthy, but you are just the right age… Read More »
Your Estate Planning Hurricane Box
In Florida, no one has a basement; it is simply not possible to build a basement into the limestone. Likewise, most people do not have a proper attic. Every Florida household has a hurricane box, however; depending on how much space you have in your house or apartment, you might keep it in your… Read More »
Do You Qualify For Summary Administration Or Disposition Without Administration?
Anyone whose financial situation went from bad to worse because of the costs and time commitments involved with the probate of a deceased family member’s estate can tell you that it is a mistake to believe that you do not need to write a will. Probate isn’t just about money; it is about decision-making… Read More »
Removing A Personal Representative From A Probate Case
Not every probate case includes a will, but they always involve a personal representative. The personal representative is responsible for following the instructions in the will to distribute the estate to beneficiaries, but only after settling the decedent’s outstanding debts and filing a final tax return on behalf of the estate. If the decedent… Read More »
Do Too Many Personal Representatives Spoil The Estate?
If your estate goes through probate, whether or not you have a will, the probate court will appoint a personal representative, also sometimes called an executor of the will. Your will should mention by name the person you choose to be personal representative of your estate. By including this provision in your will, you… Read More »