As more Americans live longer yet require different types of care, the issue of elder abuse has become more prominent than ever before. For some Floridians, there can come a time when they need to have a guardian appointed. A legal guardian can manage a person’s affairs and, in so doing, have access to the ward’s finances. The guardian may be a relative or other known person. However, there are also professional Read More
SHOULD I INCLUDE MY RETIREMENT FUND IN A TRUST?
If you are setting up a trust in Florida or even reviewing an existing one, now could be the time that you want to consider including your retirement funds in the trust. Because retirement funds have designated beneficiaries associated with them, they are not generally included in the provisions of a regular will. As Forbes explains, this approach is consistent with how life insurance policies are handled in estate Read More
UNDERSTANDING ELDER FINANCIAL ABUSE
Most Florida residents have probably heard about sad cases involving the physical abuse of an elderly person. Unfortunately that is not the only form of elder abuse that can be experienced. Some seniors can be taken advantage of and exploited financially. Potential victims, their family members, neighbors, friends, and caregivers should all know what signs to be on the lookout for. The National Committee for the Read More
DO YOU NEED A TRUST?
Many people in Florida hold the notion that estate planning is about preparing for eventual death. Forbes takes a different view on the matter and suggests it should be thought of as a way of assuming important control over your assets while you are still living as well as after you die. As you evaluate your options, you may wonder if a trust can be beneficial for you. That really depends on what you want to achieve Read More
HOW A WILL MAY BE CONTESTED
There may be times when a Florida resident is surprised by the contents of a relative’s will after the person dies. Sometimes this surprise is pleasant but, in other cases, it not. When a problem may exist with a will, the option to contest it does exist. AARP notes that this may be difficult but there are four avenues via which people can pursue the revocation of a will after the creator’s death. One reason to Read More
EVALUATING THE EDUCATION TRUST
If you are a parent, grandparent or other relative of a minor in Florida, you may wish to help with saving for that minor’s future college education. There can be many different ways of doing this. As you investigate your options, you may hear about education trusts. While these can be appropriate vehicles via which you can assist with facilitating higher education for a loved one, investing in them may or may not be Read More
ADULT GUARDIANSHIP IN FLORIDA UNDER REVIEW
Anyone in Florida who has faced the difficult situation of helping a loved one who has memory issues knows that the challenges are great. One of the challenges that can be faced is the need to identify a legal guardian. This can be required when an elderly person’s mental capacity becomes so impaired that they can be a danger to themselves or otherwise unable to manage their affairs. Example problems include a Read More
WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES DOES A TRUSTEE HAVE?
If you are looking to set up a trust or have been asked to be a trustee for someone else, you should understand what is required of a trustee in Florida. This position is far more than one of honor as it carries with it significant fiduciary duties and even potential liability. According to the National Paralegal College, a trustee is entrusted with carrying out the wishes of a deceased person as stipulated. In some Read More
SETTING UP A SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST
Like other Florida parents, if you have a child with a severe disability, you may have understandable concerns about how you can provide financially for your child after you die. Even if social services or disability funds are available, there can be a need for additional sources of income for a disabled person. According to the Pacer Center, there is a specific type of trust that can be created just for this Read More
HOW PROBATE WORKS IN FLORIDA
There are many elements to consider when setting out to begin estate planning in Florida. Certainly identifying where or to whom your assets and personal belongings will go once you die is a critical piece of this puzzle. However, that is not all that estate planning is or should be about. Understanding the process via which your estate is handled after you did can impact what types of estate planning tools you Read More
