Transferring real estate into a trust is a common estate planning strategy in Florida, offering benefits such as avoiding probate, maintaining privacy, and ensuring a smooth transition of assets to beneficiaries. However, the process involves specific legal instruments, one of which is the Trustee Deed. If you’re considering transferring property to...
A life estate is a legal arrangement allowing you to transfer ownership of your property to someone else while retaining the right to live, rent, or otherwise use the property for the rest of your life. This arrangement can be an attractive option for individuals who want to maintain the use and...
Estate planning is crucial for protecting your assets and ensuring a smooth transfer of property to your heirs. For many Florida homeowners, especially those looking to avoid probate, an Enhanced Life Estate Deed—commonly referred to as a Lady Bird Deed—can be an invaluable estate planning tool.
This unique...
The personal representative (a/k/a administrator or executor) of a probate estate owes a duty to beneficiaries and creditors. A personal representative must follow specific rules to avoid becoming personally liable and to safeguard assets. When someone dies, the process of paying their bills is much more complicated than when they were...
If you have questions about intestate succession in Florida, you came to the right place. The term “intestate succession” refers to the process of distributing the assets owned by an individual who has passed away without a valid Last Will & Testament.
In Florida, when someone dies without a...
“Joint tenancy with rights of survivorship” is a form of property ownership where two or more people own property simultaneously. This type of joint ownership provides several benefits, but also has some disadvantages as well.
The primary reason property owners elect a joint tenancy form of ownership is for...
Imagine that you are left in charge of a loved one's estate after they pass away. Although you are aware that they have a Last Will & Testament, you are unable to locate the original. What happens next? In Florida, the original copy of the decedent's Will must be submitted to the clerk...
When someone dies, their estate may have to go through the probate process. Probate is a court-supervised legal process that involves settling a deceased person’s estate and distributing the assets to their heirs.
Formal probate administration can be a long and complex process. But not all estates need a...
Imagine you are purchasing or selling a property in Florida. You've agreed on the terms, negotiated the price, and discovered the ideal bargain. However, a formal document transferring ownership of the property from the grantor (i.e., current owner or seller) to the grantee (i.e., future owner or buyer) must be signed before you can...
Planning for the future is never easy, especially when it comes to figuring out the best way to preserve your legacy and provide for your loved ones. Fortunately, there are a broad range of legal strategies that can be tailored to your needs and vision. One option well worth considering is the...
