Estate planning is crucial for individuals and families in Melbourne, Florida, as it allows them to protect their assets, ensure their wishes are carried out, and provide for their loved ones in the event of incapacity or death. By creating a comprehensive estate plan, individuals can designate who will manage their affairs, make healthcare decisions…
People often ring in the New Year with lofty goals, whether to lose 10 pounds or write the Great American Novel. Making a last will and testament and other estate planning documents is usually at the top of the list. How can you get started and get estate planning off your to-do list? First, understand…
Estate Planning Attorney in Melbourne, Florida Establishing an estate plan as a young family can provide numerous benefits, helping to protect your loved ones and assets, and ensuring your wishes are carried out in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Here are some key advantages of having an estate plan as a young family: 1. Protecting…
Securing Your Pet’s Future with Estate Planning Have you thought about what would happen to your pet in the event of your death or incapacity? Approximately two-thirds of American households own a pet, and while we have many people in our busy lives, our pets have only us. Pet owners often lament that beloved animal…
Someone has to inherit your assets, and if you don’t decide, state laws will do it for you. That means your awful Great Uncle Ed may inherit, while your beloved cousin Mary may get nothing. That’s only one reason to get busy. by: Tracy Craig, Fellow, ACTEC, AEP® Estate planning is an extremely personal process, not…
What is a Florida Medicaid Qualified Income Trust (QIT)? Posted by Bishop L. Toups A Florida Medicaid Qualified Income Trust is used when an individual has too much income to qualify for Medicaid. Currently the yearly Medicaid maximum an applicant for Florida nursing home Medicaid can have is $2,349 (2020) per month. If the applicant is…
Special Legal Considerations When There Is a Child With Disabilities By Valerie A. Powers Smith, Esq. Careful planning and consideration must go into divorce and custody agreements in order to protect the interests of the child, maximize access to vital needs-based services and supports, and preserve publicly funded disability benefits. While the general statistic for…
Most estate planning mistakes tend to be fall into one of several categories. Every estate plan has unique features, but the same problems and mistakes recur. Many mistakes don’t vary with the value of an estate and other factors. Each of the classic mistakes is avoidable. All that’s needed is knowledge of what to beware…
Have you included digital assets in your estate plan? By Liz Weston This article is reprinted by permission from NerdWallet. Executors can’t demand access to your digital assets unless you specifically give them authority. You may not own cryptocurrency or nonfungible tokens. You may not have a big Instagram following or run an online business. But if you do…
The Hazards of Do-it-Yourself Estate Planning Many websites offer customized, do-it-yourself wills and other estate planning documents. Although such products are convenient, using them could create serious and expensive legal problems for heirs. These digital services appear to offer a cost-effective and easy alternative to visiting an estate planning or elder law attorney. But is…