Recent Blog Posts
What is the Difference Between a Living Will and Advance Directives?
An estate plan is critical if you want to secure your future and ensure that your wishes are fulfilled during life’s most difficult moments. There are many documents you should include in your estate plan and a living will and advance directives are just common examples of these. Many people believe that these two… Read More »
Steps in the Summary Administration Process
Probate is a court-supervised process that occurs after a person passes away so their estate can be administered and property can be distributed to beneficiaries. Many people assume that probate is a lengthy process and truthfully, sometimes it is. Many estates, though, qualify for summary administration, a process that may only take a couple… Read More »
Mistakes to Avoid When Drafting Your Will
All adults in Florida should have a will that outlines how they would like their property distributed after they pass away. Unfortunately, drafting a will is not always as straightforward as it may seem at first. There are many common mistakes that are made, including failing to sign the will or not obtaining the… Read More »
What Happens if You Do Not Have a Healthcare Surrogate?
A healthcare surrogate is someone you authorize to make medical decisions on your behalf in the event that you ever become incapacitated and cannot make these decisions for yourself. You give another person this authority through a Designation of Health Care Surrogate form. Your healthcare surrogate should be able to make decisions for you… Read More »
Should You Draft a Will or a Trust?
Wills and trusts are both important aspects of many estate plans. Both of these legal documents allow you to determine how your property will be distributed after your death. There are some differences between wills and trusts, though, which can make it difficult to determine which one is right for you. Below, our Tampa… Read More »
How to Start Probate in Florida
In Florida, the probate process can take anywhere from one month to 18 months, depending on the facts of a specific case. There are multiple factors that determine the time frame of probate, including the size of the estate, the nature of the property, if a valid will was in place, and if there… Read More »
Three Ways to Avoid Probate
Probate is a court-supervised process that is often necessary when a person passes away. The probate process administers the estate of the deceased, which involves addressing creditor claims, proving the will, taking inventory of the deceased’s estate, and more. Probate can take a long time, and become very expensive. The costs can quickly use… Read More »
Different Types of Trusts in Florida
Trusts are an important part of many estate plans and they can ensure you can manage your property, both during your lifetime and after you pass away. Trusts are legal entities that are created to hold property for the benefit of certain individuals and entities. When you create a trust, you are known as… Read More »
Legal Requirements for Wills in Florida
Every state has laws that must be followed in order for last wills and testaments to be considered valid and legally binding and Florida is no different. Testators, or people who create wills, must follow these when creating or modifying their will to ensure that their last wishes are respected and upheld. Below, our… Read More »
Frequently Asked Questions About Probate in Florida
The probate process is one that is often required after a person passes away. Probate is court supervised and the process is often complex, particularly when large estates are involved. It is natural to have many questions if you have to go through it, or want to help your loved ones avoid it. Below,… Read More »