Blog: Estate Planning
Documenting Your Green Burial Wishes in Florida: A Fish Hawk Will Lawyer’s Guide
More and more Floridians are choosing eco-friendly options for their final arrangements. As a Fish Hawk will lawyer who helps families plan for the future, I've seen a growing interest in green burials – a return to simpler, more natural practices that minimize...
Protecting Your Kids with Life Insurance Trusts: A Riverview Trust Lawyer’s Advice
As a trust lawyer helping Riverview families plan for the future, I'm often asked: "Should I just name my kids as my life insurance beneficiaries?" My answer might surprise you—there's actually a better way that provides much more protection for your children. Why...
Leaving Your Inheritance to Charity: A Brandon Will and Trust Lawyer’s Guide
As a Brandon will and trust lawyer, I've helped many clients who prefer to leave their legacy to charitable causes rather than family members. While this is entirely your right, it requires careful planning, especially when you have heirs who might have different...
When Timing Changes Everything: A Brandon Estate Planning Lawyer’s Guide to Simultaneous Spousal Deaths
The recent passing of acclaimed actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa has brought to light an important estate planning issue many couples overlook: what happens when spouses die within a short time of each other? As a Brandon estate planning lawyer, I've seen...
Disinheriting Children in Florida: A Fish Hawk Estate Planning Lawyer’s Guide
As a Fish Hawk estate planning lawyer, I often receive questions about disinheriting children and the legal requirements surrounding this difficult decision. While Florida law respects your right to distribute your assets according to your wishes, proper legal...
Choosing Backup Beneficiaries: Essential Guidance from a Riverview Estate Planning Attorney
As a Riverview estate planning attorney, I often remind clients that naming backup beneficiaries isn't just an optional add-on to their estate plan – it's a crucial component that helps ensure their wishes are carried out even when circumstances change unexpectedly....
Estate Planning for Pets: A Brandon Estate Planning Attorney’s Guide to Protecting Your Furry Family
As a Brandon estate planning attorney, I’ve seen how deeply clients care about ensuring their pets’ well-being after they’re gone. Whether you have a senior cat who needs daily medication or a young, energetic dog who requires regular exercise, incorporating your pets...
Making it Legal: How to Create a Valid Will in Brandon
Are you thinking about creating a will here in Florida? You may be wondering what makes a will legally binding if something happens to you. As a Brandon will lawyer, I often explain these requirements to clients, and they’re usually surprised to learn that Florida has...
Trust Mills in Florida: Protecting Seniors from High-Pressure Estate Planning
As a Brandon elder lawyer, I’ve noticed a concerning trend in our sunshine state. Florida’s reputation as a retirement paradise attracts more than just seniors seeking warm weather and beautiful beaches. It also draws companies specifically targeting our retiree...
Understanding Medicaid Spend-Downs: Smart Planning with Prepaid Funeral Arrangements
As a Brandon Medicaid lawyer, I often meet seniors who are worried about paying for long-term care. When they learn about Medicaid's "spend-down" requirements, many assume they'll have to give all their money to a nursing home. This isn't entirely true. There are...
Why a Living Trust Should Be Part of Your Legacy: Insights from a Brandon Estate Planning Attorney
As families grow and circumstances evolve, the need for comprehensive estate planning becomes increasingly important. As a Brandon estate planning attorney, I've seen firsthand how living trusts can provide both protection and peace of mind for families looking to...
Safeguarding LGBTQIA+ Rights Through Comprehensive Estate Planning
As a Tampa estate planning lawyer who has served our diverse community for decades, I've witnessed firsthand how estate planning can serve as a powerful tool for protecting individual rights. In today's uncertain political climate, many members of the LGBTQIA+...
Need to Change Your Trust? You Might Not Need to Start Over
As a Tampa trust lawyer, I often hear from clients who think they need to completely restart their estate planning process just to make a few changes to their trust. The good news? In many cases, you don't need to start from scratch. Understanding your options for...
Start the New Year Right: Name Guardians for Your Minor Children
As a Brandon estate lawyer and new grandmother, I've been spending precious moments with my newest grandchild lately. These special times have reminded me just how important it is for parents to plan for their children's future – particularly when it comes to naming...
Inheriting a Tampa Vacation Home? Here’s What You Need to Know First
As a Tampa lawyer for probate matters, one of the most common questions I receive is "What should I do with the vacation property I've just inherited?" While inheriting a vacation home might seem like an immediate win, there are several crucial steps you need to take...