One of the most common questions I get is “What is the difference between a Durable Power of Attorney and a Guardianship?” Richard Shea an attorney in Connecticut who publishes the Connecticut Estate Planning & Elder Law Blog has a good description of each and the differences in an article…
Many Florida residents include language in their Florida estate planning documents which leave either a fixed sum or a percentage of their estate to one or more charities. The most common gift is an outright bequest of property to a named charity from a Florida Will or Florida Revocable Trust.…
This week the Supreme court decided to review a Washington D.C. Court decision that struck down a 31 year ban on pistols. Many believe that the argument and decision by the Supreme Court will be based upon the widely contested interpretation of the 2nd amendment. Over the past few decades…
Professor Gerry W. Beyer author of the Wills, Trusts, & Estates Professors Blog, as reported on a mistake in estate planning where a Another Self-Help Estate Plan Gone Awry. In this case a man decided not to consult with anestate planning lawyer. He transferred the family home to his stepchildren…
Professor Gerry W. Beyer author of the Wills, Trusts, & Estates Professors Blog, as reported on a mistake in estate planning where a “Do it Yourself” Estate Plan Backfires. In this case a mother who did not hire her own estate planning lawyer made a number a big mistake that…
Tax breaks on dividends and capital gains for college-age dependents will end on January 1. In the meantime, families can still take maximum advantage of the current law. A significant source of tax savings for American families will disappear on January 1, 2008. That’s when changes Congress made to the…
A Florida Enhanced Life Estate Deed (sometimes called “The Lady-Bird Deed”) is a tool used by Florida Estate Planning Attorneys, Florida Elder Law Attorneys, and other by Florida Lawyers to preserve the homestead for the benefit of the family. Upon the death of the homeowner’s the property will pass to…
Many people who have reached the age of retirement split their time between Florida and another state. Since we are at the prime time of year for this to be happening I thought it appropriate as a Florida Estate Planning Lawyer to write about some of the issues of Estate…
Mitchell Port a California lawyer posted a link to an article on the California Tax Attorney Blog about an article on the State Bar Website which provides information on estate planning. Although this is a California bar website, many of the same issues and considerations are important to Florida residents…
Leanna Hamill with the Massachusetts Estate Planning and Elder Law Blog wrote an article on Estate Planning titled Should You Discuss Your Plans with Your Children? In the article she discusses the fact that clients often wonder if they should share their estate plans with their children. In giving her…