If you die without writing a legally valid will (called “dying intestate”), ultimately it will be up to the state of Florida to decide what happens to everything you own, from your car and house to bank accounts and insurance, stocks and your 401(k) and even your email and social media accounts. Some people like […]
Melbourne Legal Blog
Married couples in the United States can face special complications when at least one spouse is a noncitizen. When they are a high-asset couple and one spouse passes away, the U.S. tax system may offer even more unpleasant surprises. When the American spouse dies, taxes can take brutal chunks taken out of their spouse’s inheritance. […]
If you don’t already have an estate plan, it may be because the process is a bit daunting. You may already know who you want to leave your home and assets to, and the estate planning process sounds like just a boring process of putting that plan in place. Or maybe you just don’t want […]
The process of buying a new home can be long and stressful. There are many things to consider – location, price, aesthetics – and it can take months to properly vet through the many listings before you finally find the right one. However, it’s not as easy as handing over a check and signing your […]
Intellectual property is often a business’s secret formula for success. Because of this, they should do everything in their power to protect it. Since many companies work with third parties to complete specific tasks, they may have to disclose bits of confidential information. However, businesses should make sure that information doesn’t get exposed. If it […]
Severe weather is a fact of life here in Florida. For those who own one of the 1.5 million condo units in the state, there are some extra considerations. When a storm hits, who is responsible for repairs to the condo building: the affected residents or the condo association? A storm is an insurable event […]
The start of a new year is often a time people look at their lives and consider what, if anything, they want to change. People might decide to get healthier, be more adventurous or quit bad habits. This can also be an excellent time to think about your estate planning goals. Your wishes for your […]
As you create your estate plan, you want to make sure your heirs don’t lose your inheritance to taxes and creditors. When you have a lot of assets, estate taxes and lawsuits can threaten your wealth. To keep your property away from these threats, you may choose to use an irrevocable trust. Irrevocable trusts can […]
Both wills and trusts are practical estate planning tools, though there are some significant differences. While we all deal with differing lives, adversities, circumstances and income levels, it’s important to understand that estate planning is a smart idea for any individual. Wills and trusts offer different securities based on each individual or family’s concerns. Wills […]
The death of a loved one can be a challenging time. There are a lot of emotions involved, with different friends and family members coping in different ways. But this can be particularly true if anyone has questions about the decedent’s wishes or intent. Trusts are supposed to help surviving loved ones navigate this tough […]
