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Managing someone's estate is serious work, and Florida law recognizes that. That’s why personal representatives are entitled to compensation for their time, effort and the weight of responsibility they carry. But what happens when that compensation quietly becomes...
A springing power of attorney does not actually take effect until certain conditions are met. Even though you may draft your estate plan today and include the power of attorney, there could be a significant delay before the document actually applies and your agent...
Guardians play a critical role in managing the affairs of individuals who cannot make decisions on their own. This responsibility often includes handling financial matters, property and decisions that may affect an estate. However, a guardian should follow legal...
The Florida probate process allows an opportunity for interested parties to make claims against estates. Personal representatives must communicate with creditors and resolve the outstanding financial obligations of deceased individuals. An estate is also often...
Concerned family members, neighbors or caregivers can ask the courts to establish adult guardianship in qualifying situations. The courts can limit a person’s legal authority in cases where they cannot consistently act in their own best interests. Typically, there...
As you draft your estate plan, have you started worrying about how certain beneficiaries may use their inheritance? Maybe you do want to leave them something, but you are not sure they are ready for it. For example, maybe one of your beneficiaries is a college...
Funding a trust can deprive an individual of immediate access to and control over key resources. Some people choose to delay the transfer of certain property until after their passing. They may include those assets in a will while using the trust to address their most...
If a loved one passes away, it may be a relief to locate their will. That’s especially true if they didn’t discuss it with anyone, and you weren’t sure they even had one. What happens, however, if you find multiple wills? That’s more common than people realize. If you...
Creating an advance directive for health care (or “living will”) is a critical part of estate planning. Even young, healthy adults who aren’t ready to create a will, trust and other documents that address how they want their assets disbursed when they die can benefit...
An estate plan can be used to set up future medical care, often by making decisions in advance. As people age, medical emergencies become more likely. It can be helpful for their family to have guidance in the estate plan regarding the type of care or treatment that...