Like most people, you’ve worked hard to build a better life for you and your family.  We all want our children and grandchildren to be better off and have more opportunities than we did.  It also goes without saying that many people fear losing all they have worked for due to...

As we enter a new tax year, we have new exemption and exclusion amounts which have been adjusted for inflation. The Federal Unified Credit for Estate and Gift Tax is now $5,430,000 The Federal GST Exemption is now $5,430,000 The Federal Annual Gift Tax Exclusion remains at $14,000 The Federal Estate and Gift and...

"I don’t have that much. All I really need is just a simple will." Most estate planning attorneys often hear this phrase during their first meeting with a client. However, there are different kinds of simple. A good estate planning should address who is to receive the property, how to devise that property in...

In an effort to shield their personal assets from liability for creditors and debts associated with their business, many business owners are advised to set up corporate entities. The type of corporate entity depends on the type of business, number of shareholders and other factors but the benefits are virtually the same. Creating a...

Considering the accessibility and inundation of online services recently, many people have turned to the internet to prepare their estate planning documents. The cost and ease of using the service however does not mean a better value or a better plan. Usually, using this type of service will give you a false sense of...

A Limited Liability Company ("LLC") is a hybrid entity which for tax purposes, is considered "pass-through." This means that a LLC offers a less complicated tax structure like that of a partnership or sole proprietorship. However, from the asset protection perspective, the LLC has the liability protection afforded by a corporation. A LLC has...

So, you have been to see an attorney, you create a comprehensive estate plan, you are done, right?  Just like many aspects of your life, your estate planning is subject to change for a variety of reasons.  Our firm recommends that you sit down and review your entire estate plan on an annual basis,...

As developmental issues like autism, down syndrome and attention deficit disorder become more frequently diagnosed in their children, parents and guardians should be concerned about care for their children after they have passed away. In addition, many public benefits plans, which such children may be eligible for, are asset based. Many common estate...

If I already have a Will, does that mean that I have avoided “probate”?  What is “probate” anyway? Probate is a court process to transfer the property of a person who has passed away (or the “decedent”) to the beneficiaries of the decedent’s estate, either based on a Will or through the Florida intestacy laws...

Spendthrift Trusts Unfortunately, not everyone in the world is responsible with money. Even those who are moneywise can run into bad luck in life which could cause them financial hardship. So when planning your estate, you should think twice about leaving a large sum...