Recent Blog Posts
Understanding Probate: Why Your Home May Go Through the Process
By Carolyn S. Smith, Esq.
If you own a home and pass away, your home may go through the probate process if it is part of your probate estate. The probate process is a legal procedure that occurs after someone's death to administer and distribute their assets, including their real estate, according to their will or the laws of intestacy (when there is no valid will).
After Graduating High School - The Importance of Advanced Directives
By Callie W. Cowan, Esq.
High school graduation marks an important milestone in life. As you embark on this new chapter filled with opportunities and independence, it's essential to consider important aspects of responsible adulthood, such as healthcare planning. One crucial component of healthcare planning is creating advanced directives.
Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples
By Steve W. Ledbetter, ESQ.
There are many reasons why a committed couple in a loving relationship might choose not to get married. We strongly recommend that unmarried couples consider the implications of Estate Planning to ensure that their wishes are fulfilled with regards to their testamentary documents. It is also important to consider fiduciary appointments for managing assets and health care in the event of incapacity.
New to Florida? It’s Time to Update Your Estate Plan
By Callie Cowan, Esq.
You’ve made it. You’re finally a Florida resident, enjoying the warmth & sunshine. It has undoubtedly taken a great deal of planning to get to this point, but there is one more piece of planning you may not have considered – your Estate Plan.
What is Probate?
By Carrie Smith, JD
At its most basic, probate is a court process that determines where the assets that were owned by the decedent, the legal term for the person who died, belong. A probate judge oversees the process making determinations based on direction given in a Will or in statute if no Will exists...
So, You Want to Start a Business?
By Lissa MacDonald, JD
You have a great idea, and your entrepreneurial mind is flowing. How Exciting! Now you want to form a business entity (e.g., Florida corporation or limited liability company) to properly manage your business and insulate from liability. Here are some ideas to think about in the process:
Rights of Spouse – Not Always What You’d Expect
By Steve W. Ledbetter, ESQ.
In the context of Estate Planning, marriage can add many elements of complexity. In fact, in our law practice it is quite common to get to educate new clients on how their recent nuptials may add multiple levels of complexity to their estate plan.
Don't DIY Your Estate Plan
By Callie Cowan, ESQ.
Whether it's Fixer Upper or This Old House, we've all seen projects go awry when homeowners try to "DIY" certain things that should have been left to the professionals.
Unfortunately, we often see people try to take a "do it yourself" approach when it comes to their estate plan and the results can be just as disastrous.