Parents feel many conflicting emotions on their children’s 18th birthdays. The young people you raised will be moving on—out of the house, on to college, or even raising children of their own. As they navigate young adulthood, your children will still need your advice and assistance—but without certain documents, you may not legally be able to give it to them. …

If you have already begun the estate planning process, you know how important it is to choose the right agents to be in control of your assets and healthcare decisions. Unfortunately, you may not have the same faith when it comes to your children—especially if minor children have shown signs of poor money management. Even if the assets you leave to minors are …

If you have already created a Last Will and Testament, you have avoided one of the biggest estate planning mistakes people often make. While your will is extremely helpful in expressing your wishes to your heirs, there is a chance that you could save a lot of time, money, and frustration in the future by basing your estate plan on a revocable …

When you have kids, your whole world changes. You’re not just living for yourself anymore; everything you do is for the family you created, raised, and will ultimately leave behind. Whether you are enjoying hard-earned financial success or have a modest amount in savings, there is always more you can do to increase the value of your estate for your …

On the eve of one of the most contentious elections in U.S. history, it’s no surprise that Florida residents are uneasy about the next resident of the White House. However, it is worth noting that the occupant of the Oval Office has little effect on how your assets will be distributed to your heirs after you are gone. State Laws …

Congratulations! You have created a living trust to avoid probate and ensure that your heirs will have instant access to their inheritances. However, your job is not done yet—and without taking the next step, you may as well toss your trust documents straight into the recycling bin. The Basics of Funding a Living Trust in Florida Funding a trust is the legal term …

If you are going through a divorce, you may be overwhelmed by the number of life-changing decisions you must make before you can move on. Unfortunately, the day-to-day decisions often push the estate planning consequences of separation further down the road, causing havoc if a former spouse suffers incapacity or death. Whether you have already created a will or have not yet …

Every estate plan has legal requirements and formalities for distributing property to heirs. If the plan is based on a Last Will and Testament, the executor is responsible for paying the estate’s debts and passing on assets to beneficiaries. However, if the estate plan includes a trust, the successor trustee immediately assumes control of all trust assets upon the death or …

There are many different kinds of estate planning attorneys, but most fall into one of two categories. The first is someone who will prepare your documents, rubber-stamp your plan to ensure it stands up in court, and may even offer to administer the estate after your passing. The second is a person who does all of the above but also …