Avoiding Probate Through Joint Ownership and the Exemption on Deeds Between Spouses
One way to avoid probate is through certain types of joint ownership or joint tenancy. When a married couple buys a property, they own it as a tenancy by the entirety, and the property will automatically pass to the surviving spouse without probate. Florida law was updated last year to allow for the exemption of Read More
FACE YOUR FEARS: Check Create Estate Plan Off of Your Year-End To-Do List
Last Friday, I helped one of my good friends complete her and her husband’s estate plan, and they finally signed the finished documents on a beautiful afternoon at her condo on the ocean. The process was difficult for her. Not because she had much to do; I did the hard work for her. But she Read More
¿Realmente Necesita un Abogado para Escribir un Testamento?
Puede elegir de muchos servicios en línea o “kits” de formularios de Testamento o Fideicomiso (fondo fiduciario) que son mucho menos costosos que un abogado. Entonces, ¿vale la pena pagarle a un abogado para escribir su testamento? Bueno, un abogado puede ser menos costoso al final. ¿Te quitas los dientes tu mismo o visitas a Read More
Online DIY Wills & Trusts: Do you need an attorney to write a Will or Trust?
You can choose from many “do-it-yourself” Last Will and Testament or Trust form kits or online services that are far less expensive than an attorney. So, is it worth the money to pay an attorney to write your will for you? Well, an attorney may be less expensive in the end. Do you remove your Read More
Personal Representative v. Power of Attorney
One of the most common questions I get when I deliver presentations is: What is the difference between a personal representative and a power of attorney? A personal representative is the person appointed by the Judge who has the legal duty to administer the probate estate of the deceased person. If the deceased person (decedent) Read More
Flamenco Dancing
This article, Flamenco Dancing by Lesly Vaillancourt, was originally published as part of a series on Integrating Self-Care Practices into Daily Life in the American Bar Association’s GPSolo magazine June 2019 issue on Mindfulness and Lawyer Well-Being. I wasn’t always a flamenco dancer. Eleven years ago, I quit my job in Washington, D.C. and moved Read More
Advice for New Moms and Dads: What to Consider When Choosing a Guardian for Your Baby
When choosing a guardian for your child, consider important issues such as: Is the proposed guardian willing and able to serve? Does the proposed guardian share a similar child-rearing philosophy? What are the proposed guardian’s religious, educational, social or moral views? How old are they? Grandparents may not always be the best choice, so think Read More
Top 6 Reasons to Make a Trust
A Trust is an arrangement or agreement that allows a third party to hold and manage assets for a beneficiary or beneficiaries. A Trust allows you to bring all of your assets under one document and avoid interference by the courts. In Florida, the revocable, or “living,” trust is governed by Chapter 736, Florida Statutes. The revocable trust has Read More