Clearwater, Florida Estate Planning Blog
The Florida Homestead Chameleon Strikes Again
As many know, Florida homestead is a difficult concept as there are several aspects of Florida homestead... creditor protection, tax exemptions, save our home cap, and restrictions on devise if survived by a spouse and/or minor children. In the recent case of Feldman...
You can control your future medical care
One of the most vital concerns many have about the future is what will happen with their medical care in case of an emergency or in their advanced age. You may have specific needs and objectives for your personal care in case of a serious medical need, and thankfully,...
It’s never too early to plan for the future
Planning for the future can be a daunting prospect for those in their 20s and 30s. Younger adults may not see the need to consider their long-term legal and financial needs because they are healthy and likely have not yet built substantial estates. While estate...
Which type of trust will be the best addition to your estate plan?
Planning for the future can be a difficult process as it will require you to plan for contingencies and consider what you want to happen in the event of your death. These are not easy things to navigate, but you understand how important it is to take steps to protect...
Do the Relatives of Your Ex-Spouse Inherit Under Your Will and Trust?
A recent Minnesota appellate court decided whether relatives of an ex-spouse inherits. Minnesota law is similar to Florida law and this case illustrates the importance of reviewing your documents after a divorce to be sure they reflect your intent. In Matter of the...
Could your family benefit from a special needs trust?
If you are the parent of a child with special needs, you understand the complexity of daily life as you care for him or her. As parents of special needs children age, they begin to wonder what will happen after they are no longer around in the future. While you cannot...
The process of administering a trust
A trust is a beneficial estate planning tool as it allows one to set aside and protect his or her assets for a specific use. When putting assets in a trust, the individual is placing control over those assets in the hands of a third party. The third party oversees and...
Life Insurance Proceeds are Not Always Treated the Same
A recent case illustrates the importance of the selection of life insurance to ensure that payments for the benefit of children and a spouse will occur. In Stevens v. Stevens, Kimberly and Gene dissolved their marriage in 2015. Gene agreed to provide that their...
Adult children should discuss estate plans with aging parents
Discussing post-death matters and potential medical needs can be a difficult conversation to have with your parents. While it can be uncomfortable to discuss what will happen if your parents pass away or become incapacitated at some point, it is a necessary...
Which types of advance directives should be in your estate plan?
One of your main goals for your estate planning strategy is to care for and support your loved ones in the future. Through the distribution of assets and careful planning, you can provide for them and leave a legacy that will benefit the generations that come after...