Estate Planning

If you are an Orlando resident, you might be surprised to know that approximately 55 percent of American adults don’t have a will. For those under the age of 34, the percentage swells to 71 percent. Another disturbing statistic: 75 percent of American parents with minor children don’t have a will, either. Baby boomers (born 1946 to 1964) fare somewhat better: 59 percent of them have planned for the orderly distribution of their property after their demise via a legally … Continued

Your estate consists of all of your wealth and assets, including your bank accounts, money market funds, stocks, bonds, precious metals, life insurance policies, real estate and all your personal property, such as automobiles, jewelry, artwork, etc. The value of your estate is equal to the sum of all your assets, minus the sum of all your debts and liabilities. Estate planning is the process of making whatever legal arrangements you consider necessary to protect and manage your estate while … Continued

As I counsel clients throughout the Orlando area, I often find that people do not have a clear understanding of probate law, and why it matters when it comes to estate planning in Florida. What is Probate? Probate is a legal process that ensures that a deceased person’s assets are properly identified, that the property of his or her estate is carefully administered, that all debts and taxes are paid, and that any remaining estate assets are distributed in a … Continued

For most of us the word “estate” conjures up images of an imposing and architecturally flamboyant mansion sitting atop a large tract of property, replete with green rolling hills, majestically tall trees, rows of ornate statuary, and an abundance of glimmering pools and bubbling fountains. In the realm of law, however, the word “estate” actually has a different meaning. An estate is simply the net worth of a person at any point in time, whether that person is alive or … Continued

Countless people make the mistake of believing they don’t need an estate plan. After all, only the extremely wealthy have an “estate”… right? Like many people living in the Orlando area, you might be surprised to learn that you have an estate—at least you do if you have: investments, a house, a car, or a savings account. Don’t have any of those? How about personal possessions? If you have clothes on your back, you have an estate. We all want … Continued