Blog: Estate Planning
Tampa Trust Lawyer Shares Important Estate Planning Tips for Single Parents
According to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau Data, 24 million children in the United States are living with an unmarried parent. Most of those children -- 15 million of them -- are living with a single mother. The rest are either living with a single father or with...
Tampa Elder Lawyer on Proactive Estate Planning and Dementia
As medical technology advances, people in developed countries like the United States are living longer than ever. As a result, aging populations and their loved ones are struggling to cope with some of the medical conditions that tend to cause incapacity in old age,...
Brandon Will and Trust Lawyer: Dealing with Excuses When Talking to an Older Parent About Estate Planning
Need help motivating your parent to meet with a Brandon will and trust lawyer? The legal planning process is usually initiated by an adult child who sees a need for help and is often met with hesitation by the parents.
How Trusts Can Protect an Inheritance for an Adult Child Who Struggles with Substance Abuse
Statistics show that 21.5 million adults in the United States battle with some kind of substance abuse disorder. Whether the addiction is alcoholism, drug abuse, or even behavioral addictions like gambling, leaving an inheritance to an adult child who is struggling...
Tampa Will Attorney: How to Encourage Your Elderly Parent to Plan Their Estate
“In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes,” as Benjamin Franklin once said. Indeed, we cannot escape the reality that we will all die someday. And consequently, we will certainly have to pay taxes. This reality can hit exceptionally close to home for...
In Case of Emergency: Take These Steps to Let Authorities Know You Have a Child with Special Needs At Home | Brandon Special Needs Lawyers
The possibility of unexpected death or incapacity is something no parent likes to think about, but as Brandon special needs lawyers, it’s our job to ensure that families are legally prepared for the worst. With that said, imagine being involved in a serious accident...
Tampa Will and Trust Lawyer Answers, “Can Minors Inherit Assets?”
Although it is possible for a minor to inherit assets, the individual to whom an asset goes cannot claim it until he or she reaches the age of maturity. In the event that both parents die, a court-appointed judge will designate a legal guardian who will be responsible...
How to Properly Liquidate a Loved One’s Home
Liquidate Your Home (or a Loved One's) When a loved one will no longer be returning to their home the family needs to secure the assets of their loved one in the newly abandoned home. The family has a number of responsibilities, among those are: Immediately secure the...
Planning for a Special Needs Child
Quite often, I receive phone calls from parents of a special needs child concerned about how to plan for that child should something happen to them. For every phone call I receive, I know there at least ten other families out there who have not thought about planning...
Durable Power of Attorney – Why does your eighteen year old need one?
Do you have children that have turned eighteen or about to turn eighteen? Do you have children that are in college or on their way to college? A few things every parent should know when your child turns 18 Did you realize that once your child turns eighteen your...
Should I draft my own estate planning documents?
You’ve seen the commercials with OJ Simpson’s attorney telling you to go to a certain website, put in some information, and you can prepare your own estate planning documents with the click of a mouse. And I say – absolutely, go ahead and do that. Why would I say...
Springing Powers of Attorney – still viable in Florida?
Springing Powers of Attorney - still viable in Florida? Very often, a client wants me to prepare a durable power of attorney for them that cannot be used until they are determined to be incapacitated. This is because persons who serve as agents under a power of...
What happens to your Facebook Account when you Die?
In the last two years, there have been plenty of articles and blog posts written about this topic. Unfortunately, it does not seem like we’ve come very far in answering the question. Facebook and Twitter still do not allow family members access to a deceased...
Why Elder Law? Why Do I Do What I Do?
Why Elder Law? Why Do I Do What I Do? Fifteen years ago today, one of the most precious people in my life passed away - my Nana, Elsie Gonzalez. I adored my grandmother and have so many wonderful memories of time spent with her. She was always around while I was...
What does the “fiscal cliff” legislation mean to you? Continued.
"Fiscal Cliff" legislation - what does it mean to you? Last month, I discussed the tax rate changes and the estate tax exemptions under the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. You should also be aware that the payroll tax holiday will not be extended meaning that...