Our Estate Planning Blog
Although there is often a progression of complexity in estate planning, this progression generally follows stages in life rather than specific ages.
The surviving daughters of Don Lewis, a Tampa man who went missing 23 years ago this month, have filed a lawsuit in Hillsborough County court against Tiger King subjects Kenny Farr and Carole Baskin, along with a woman listed as a witness on Lewis’ will.
We may think of a spoiled heiress to a large fortune, whose parents were savvy enough to prevent her from having full access to her funds. On the other hand, we could imagine a loved one with special needs, whose needs will be provided for with trust-protected money.
A fiduciary is someone who manages property or money on behalf of someone else. When you become a fiduciary, the law requires you to manage the person’s assets for their benefit—and not your own.
The period leading up to and shortly after losing a close relative is often one of the most emotionally demanding times that we, as humans, experience.
Death is not a favorite conversation topic. However, we all know it is something we must at some point discuss. The loss of a close friend or family member, or an event, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, seems to bring the topic to the forefront.
Sometimes, despite best intentions and best efforts, an estate plan leaves unintended problems for heirs, trustees and others to solve. For example, a trust may have become outdated because of changes in tax laws, the birth or death of family members, or special circumstances like an heir’s disability.
Estate planning is not just about saving taxes, it is also about managing and protecting your assets against future creditors, both for you and for your beneficiaries.
Trusts are legal entities that own assets, and all trusts are not alike. They are created by a written trust document with certain provisions that can vary from trust to trust.
Using the equity in your residence is a method many people use to raise cash. There are several methods that a homeowner may use to tap into this income vein, but some may be better suited than others. One popular option—that often fills the airwaves with commercials—is the reverse mortgage. However, while popular, this may not be the best choice for many homeowners.
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