Estate planning is often a difficult subject for families to broach, especially if an aging parent appears to be suffering from mental decline. There are a variety of cognitive conditions that may affect elderly Miami residents, including complications from stroke, Alzheimer’s disease or progressive dementia. This can be heartbreaking for adult children to witness, not to mention complicated if their parents’ wills Read More
WHEN CAN YOU CONTEST A WILL?
The death of a loved one is hard enough without estate planning disputes adding to the emotional upheaval. Unfortunately, if you feel like you were slighted in your family member’s will, you are not alone. Many Miami residents have discovered, after their loved one’s death, that they did not receive what they had hoped or that they were left out of the will completely. Being unhappy with the contents of a will does Read More
DEFINITIONS OF COMMON ESTATE PLANNING TERMS
When you’re getting ready to work on your estate planning, you may find some of the terms or phrases confusing. This is common for many Miami residents; unless you are familiar with legal terminology, it is normal to mistake some estate administration terms for others or to have difficulty understanding what they mean. Fortunately, our attorneys at Luis E. Barreto & Associates, P.A., fully understand the Read More
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE RULING CAN BENEFIT ESTATE PLANNING
For decades, same-sex couples fought for equal rights pertaining to the benefits married couples receive. These included such issues as taxes, joint sharing of investments and retirement benefits, inheritance matters and hospital visitation rights. Never in history has the topic of same-sex rights been so prevalent in news and politics than it has during the past few years. In a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court, Read More
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR PROPERTY IF YOU DIE WITHOUT A WILL?
Most of us live busy lives even after retirement, and it can be easy to put off things we don’t think about often, such as planning our wills. As a result, some Miami residents may die before getting around to planning their estates. What will happen to your assets and property after your death if you don’t have a will? How would it affect your loved ones? According to The Florida Legislature, it is called Read More
ESTATE DISPUTES NOT UNCOMMON AMONG BABY BOOMERS
It is an unfortunate fact that sometimes after the owner of an estate dies, the loved ones left behind are not happy with what they received – or did not receive – in the family will. Many residents in Miami can find themselves going through an estate dispute over such items as their loved one’s home, vehicles, bank accounts and personal possessions. According to the AARP, it is increasingly common for Baby Boomers Read More
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WILLS AND LIVING TRUSTS
When it comes time for your estate planning, should you choose to draft a will or a living trust? Both of these documents may provide solid benefits for your family members and protection against probate disputes. However, each one of these options has separate advantages and drawbacks. At Luis E. Barreto & Associates, P.A., we have helped numerous Miami clients decide the option that is best for their Read More
ROBIN WILLIAMS’ FAMILY DISPUTE OVER ESTATE VALUE AND BELONGINGS
During the estate planning process, it can help to think about the possibility of loved ones disputing the terms of a will, even if the will has been carefully laid out. An estate disagreement can be distressing for Miami families who are grieving the loss of loved ones. In some cases, heirs may think that they were left out of assets they were entitled to. An especially common estate dispute can arise when a Read More
WHAT IS A CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST?
For many people, it is not enough simply to leave an inheritance to their loved ones after they are gone. Some wish to make a lasting impression by leaving a portion of their estate to a charitable cause. If you are like many Miami residents, you may have worthy hobbies, passions and beliefs that can be benefited by your generosity. It is possible through a charitable remainder trust to leave behind a sizeable amount Read More
PLANNING FOR YOUR PET’S CARE AFTER YOUR DEATH
A vital part of your estate planning is to designate your assets and property, such as inheritance money and your home, to your heirs. If you have pets, you might not realize that you will need to provide for their needs after your death as well. At the Miami law firm of Luis E. Barreto & Associates, P.A., we regularly include instructions for the care of pets in the wills and trusts of our clients, and we Read More
