Individuals set up trusts for a variety of reasons. Some do it to protect a loved one’s eligibility for government benefits. Others do so to keep their assets from being overtaxed. Some do it so they can more easily transfer property to their heirs without it passing through probate. It’s the role of the trustee […]
Melbourne Legal Blog
Few things in life bring more excitement than purchasing a new home. After all, your house is likely your largest investment. You also want a nice place to live or raise a family. If your new home turns out to be a lemon, though, your exhilaration may quickly turn to despair. When purchasing a new […]
Succession planning, the task of deciding who will replace a key executive who retires, moves on or passes away, is a critical step in the continuing development of a company. Has your board taken up this important matter yet? Here are five reasons to begin formulating your succession plan. 1. Identifying qualified candidates Identify potential […]
If you asked most developers, they’d likely tell you that the responsibility for ensuring that a property is built to appropriate standards and is safe belongs to the contractors they hire. Florida Statute (Fla. Stat.) 718.203 paints a different picture, however, of the responsibilities of developers. In describing warranty laws, the Florida Condominium Act describes […]
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation that returns a right to homeowners. They now can grow vegetables in their yards. Florida had allowed local governments to enact ordinances that prohibited people from planting vegetable gardens. While flower gardens were allowed, some towns and municipalities across the state had banned vegetable gardens for aesthetic reasons. […]
You knew that your organization was going to benefit from someone’s estate when they passed away. The two of you had talked about it before; you were both friends, they’d been very involved in your organization over the years and it was important to them. As a result, they put a significant amount of money […]
Your home is your castle, and that includes the property that you own around it. The boundaries of your property are important because they determine where you can do things you want and where your neighbors are free to do what they want. One way that you can ensure the boundary between the properties is […]
There can be a lot of uncertainties surrounding the death of a loved one. Unfortunately, the estate administration process can be murky and disconcerting. If something seems fishy during the administration of a trust, it can cause beneficiaries to ask a lot of questions. Sometimes, a caretaker usurps a family’s inheritance via improper trust management. This often […]
Health care is a highly regulated industry. There are certain rules and regulations that mental health counselors or therapists must familiarize themselves with and adhere to if they wish to remain in compliance with state and federal laws. One obligation they have is to provide their patients with a privacy disclosure outlining their responsibility to […]
The Florida commercial lease tax rate is set to drop from 5.7% to 5.5%, the third reduction in three years. State lawmakers approved the move, and Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign the bill. It would take effect on Jan. 1, 2020. Florida is the only state that has a business rent tax connected […]
