Recent Blog Posts
How Detailed Should Your End-of-Life Wishes Be?
When creating your estate plan, one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects involves documenting your end-of-life care preferences. As a Riverview estate planning attorney, I frequently help families navigate this sensitive but crucial component of...
Should You Choose an Out-of-State Trustee? A Brandon Trust Attorney’s Guide
Many Florida retirees face a common dilemma when creating their estate plans: their most trusted family members live hundreds or thousands of miles away. As a Brandon trust attorney, I frequently help clients weigh whether appointing an out-of-state trustee is the...
Don’t Pay Your Loved One’s Debts Until You Talk to a Hillsborough County Probate Lawyer First!
The phone starts ringing within days of your loved one's passing. Credit card companies, medical billing departments, and debt collectors all seem to have one urgent message: immediate payment is required. In your grief and confusion, your first instinct might be to...
The Hidden Costs of Aging: What No One Tells You About Long-Term Care
As a Brandon elder law attorney, I've witnessed countless families face a harsh reality: the staggering cost of long-term care. While most people plan for retirement, few truly understand the financial impact of needing extended care as they age. Let me share what no...
If Your Children Have No Contact With You, Do You Have to Include Them in Your Estate Plan?
Family relationships can be complicated, and sometimes children and parents become estranged for various reasons. If you're in this difficult situation, you might be wondering whether you're legally required to leave anything to children who no longer have contact...
Why You Shouldn’t Make Handwritten Changes to Your Will: A Brandon Estate Planning Attorney’s Perspective
"I want to make a small change to my will. Can I cross that section out, make my changes, and initial it with a date?" This is one of the most common questions I receive as a Brandon estate planning attorney, and I completely understand the appeal of making quick...
Changing Guardians When Medical Needs Change: A Lithia Estate Planning Attorney’s Perspective
When young parents create their first will, they often name their own parents as guardians for their children. It makes perfect sense, as grandparents love their grandchildren deeply and have the life experience to provide guidance and stability. But as a Florida...
Capital Gains Taxes: What Will My Loved Ones Owe If They Inherit My Estate? A Brandon Estate Planning Attorney’s Guide
One of the most common concerns I hear from families in Brandon, Fish Hawk, and throughout Florida is about the tax burden their loved ones might face after inheriting property or investments. "Will my children have to pay huge capital gains taxes on the family home?"...
What Exactly Is a Living Trust? A Riverview Estate Planning Attorney Explains
If you've been researching estate planning options, you've probably encountered the term "living trust" more than once. But what exactly is a living trust, and why do so many estate planning attorneys recommend them? As a Florida estate planning attorney who has...
Navigating Inheritances When You’re Raising a Grandchild: A Brandon Estate Planning Attorney’s Perspective
Life has a way of bringing unexpected changes, and for many grandparents in Brandon, Riverview, and throughout Florida, raising a grandchild has become their new reality. Whether due to family circumstances, health challenges, or other life events, grandparents who...
Why You Need to Update Your Estate Plan After Relocating to Hillsborough County
If you've recently relocated to Hillsborough County from elsewhere in the country—first, welcome! Second, it's time to take a fresh look at your estate plan. While your existing will and other estate planning documents from your previous state may still be legally...
Guardian Advocacy vs. Guardianship in Florida: What’s the Difference?
Guardian advocacy and guardianship are both legal processes in Florida that provide protection for individuals who cannot make decisions for themselves, but they serve different populations and have distinct requirements. Guardian advocacy is specifically designed for...
Estate Planning for Unmarried Partners in Hillsborough County: Protecting Your Relationship
Unmarried couples in Hillsborough County have no automatic inheritance rights or legal protections that married couples enjoy, making comprehensive estate planning essential for protecting your partner and your shared future. Without proper planning, your longtime...
Do I Need a Lawyer to Create a Will in Florida?
A DIY will may seem cost-effective initially, but mistakes can lead to costly probate disputes or invalid documents that far exceed the cost of professional legal guidance.
Avoid Probate with a Living Trust: Protecting Your Legacy in Brandon
Are you confident your estate plan will protect your assets and loved ones from a time-consuming and expensive probate process? As a Brandon estate planning attorney, I've seen how living trusts offer an effective alternative that many professionals and families in...