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

Like most people in Florida, you may have heard of a power of attorney. But, do you fully understand what it is and what it can do? This document can provide you or your loved ones with important abilities in the face of unforeseen circumstances. It essentially allows one person to make important decisions on behalf of another person when that person is unable to do so. The National Caregivers Library notes that a Read More

If you have a minor or adult child with a disability, you no doubt have concerns about how to provide financially for your child now and after you die. Like other Florida parents, you may have heard about special needs trusts and how they can help in these situations. Understanding how these trusts, also referred to as supplemental care trusts, work is important for you. The Pacer Center is a resource for families Read More

It may be shocking to hear, but if you have an estate plan in place, you are actually in the minority. As the American Bar Association points out, 55 percent of Americans pass away without having a will or end-of-life document in place. However, you should know that your work does not end once your plan is created. You will have to make sure that you update that plan at least once a year, experts suggest, in order Read More

In addition to giving you peace of mind, an effective estate plan can ensure that your survivors understand your final wishes for your assets. At Luis E. Barreto & Associates, P.A., our attorneys know how important it is that you leave a legacy without conflict. There are several considerations for people who wish to prevent sibling rivalry when determining heirs and their inheritance. As a report from Read More

As a Florida resident crafting your estate plan, you have probably already thought about the person you would like to name as your will's executor. Estate administration decisions are among the most important that you can make during the estate planning process. Even though some people would consider being an executor as an honor or compliment, it is important to realize that the job can become time-consuming, even Read More

In 2009, the MetLife Mature Market Institute conducted a in-depth study into financial elder abuse. In Florida and across the country, countless seniors fall victim to various types of abuse on a regular basis. The MetLife study found that financial abuse is underreported and accounts for victims losing at least $2.6 billion every year. Researchers reported that older Americans tend to have a larger net worth, which Read More

It may sound odd that someone at the beginning of his or her life should think about what might happen at the end, but in terms of estate planning, it simply makes good sense. At Luis E. Barreto & Associates, P.A., we have seen what can happen when Florida parents lose the legal responsibility for their 18-year-olds but still have the moral and emotional responsibilities. In Florida, once a child turns 18, his Read More

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

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