Florida residents may be interested in an article detailing some of the biggest mistakes that people make when planning their end-of-life personal and financial affairs. Failing to have a plan at all is one error, but there are others that may be less apparent.
Estate settlement not always as simple as it seems
Estate administration isn't always a simple matter of the distribution of assets to the heirs. Anyone who has ever served as an executor in Florida is familiar with the numerous steps in between the time the will is created and the actual execution after the testator's death. Even with a small estate and a very clearly written will, unforeseen probate issues and expenses can arise.
The impact of playing favorites with an estate
Estate planning is critical for people of any age in Florida and around the country. Having a clear plan in place can prevent discontent from brewing between family members. However, it is important that the children of the deceased get to share in the wealth when that person passes. If one child gets 80 percent of the money and the other children are left to split the rest, they may wonder why they were given such a small stake.
Ensure your estate plan holds up
Orlando families working out how their patriarchs and matriarchs will pass on assets after death may want to hear what one respected financial adviser has to say on the matter. To start, avoiding errors caused by the process's complexity is the first step to successful estate planning. After that, making sure the correct paperwork is filed and updated to reflect any changes in circumstances should be at the top of a family's estate administration tasks.
Estate planning tips
Estate planning is not a comfortable topic for a lot of Florida residents. Only 43 percent of Americans have a will although most people understand that a beneficiary must be designated or default state regulations, such as probate court, come into play. Some people don't understand the value of assets they have, such as insurance policies, and have people designated as beneficiaries people with whom they were once close, but are no longer.