When children or other heirs think about their possible inheritance, it most often elicits a discussion about a positive sum of money, grandmother's diamond ring or some other positive asset. The truth is that this isn't the only type of inheritance an heir might be...
Year: 2013
Lessons learned from James Gandolfini’s estate
As more information is released about late actor James Gandolfini's estate, people in Orlando and throughout Central Florida are learning about how to structure their estates so that heirs and beneficiaries can enjoy the most of what is left to them. The actor best...
James Gandolfini’s estate plan leaves takes care of children
Former "Sopranos" star James Gandolfini passed away suddenly while on vacation in Italy before the Fourth of July holiday. Millions of fans mourned his passing and were surprised by how the life of someone who was relatively healthy was cut short. According to...
There ought to be a law for grown children to call parents
From time to time, we learn from our older clients of the pain they experience from not hearing from their children or other loved ones. They describe how they do not speak very often to them, and how they worry about not having anyone around to care for them or...
Supreme Court strikes DOMA provision against gay couples
The United States supreme Court recently issued a ruling on U.S. v. Windsor, the estate tax case that pitted 84-year-old Edie Windsor against the Internal Revenue Service over taxes imposed when her long-time spouse, Thea Spyer, left Windsor her estate when she died...
How to avoid disputes over assets after you die
Imagine if a loved one passes away without a will. In this instance, Florida law will determine how the estate will be divided amongst his or her heirs. When a person passes with a will, the terms and conditions of the document will control. However, what happens when...
Managing the emotional side of estate planning
Many people realize that estate planning is more than just putting together a will and choosing beneficiaries, but few understand (or consider) the emotional issues that come about when assets are actually distributed after they pass away. Indeed, the person creating...
How to avoid mistakes when naming beneficiaries
Naming beneficiaries to a Florida based insurance policy should be easy. After all, one only has to consider who should receive the balance of the assets left behind, identify them in a will, and the rest should be simple. Unfortunately, there are unforeseen pitfalls...
What’s in a name? The pitfalls of having the wrong beneficiary
Naming beneficiaries should be easy, right? You just think about who you would want to pass the proceeds of a life insurance policy to, and jot their name on the dotted line. In theory it is, but in practice, there are a number of pitfalls that can complicate the...
Will your heirs appreciate the classics?
The notion of what is a family heirloom, or at least passing them down through generations, is beginning to change in Florida and across the country. In decades past, a classic piece of furniture or a one-of-a kind trinket would be guarded like a secret family recipe....
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