By Phil Rarick, Weston Estate Planning Attorney This report is a reminder that the FBAR or Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Account is due June 30. The FBAR is required for U.S. persons having a financial interest or signature authority over one or more foreign financial accounts, including a…
Phillip B. Rarick, Esq., Miami Trust Attorney Florida law requires that a trust must keep the qualified beneficiaries of a trust “reasonably informed of the trust and its administration.” F.S. 736.0813. A “qualified beneficiary” is a current beneficiary, intermediate beneficiary, or first-line remainder beneficiary. F.S. 736.0103(16). These information rights fall…
By Jefferson H. Weaver, Esq. Documentary Stamps Due On Sale Buyers and sellers of real estate in Florida have some familiarity with the documentary stamp tax as it invariably shows up on their settlement statements as a closing cost. Whether the seller alone or both the seller and buyer pay…
Note: Keep In Your Car Glove Compartment in Case You are in an Auto Accident Safety first. Move to a safe location. If there are any injuries or property damage call 911 immediately. Stay calm. Focus on task at hand documenting the accident. Be courteous but don’t admit fault. An…
A big focus of our practice is helping our clients better protect their real estate investments. However, some of our clients are surprised to learn that our legal services extend beyond real estate asset protection. Here is a short list of our real estate services: – Purchase or Sale of…
By Phillip B. Rarick, Esq. and Jacqueline R. Bowden, Esq. For same-sex couples living in Florida, now is the time to take full advantage of rights long delayed to make sure that your spouse or partner is cared for come rain or shine. Here is a checklist of some of…
Within the past 10 years, the Living Trust has replaced the Will as the best way to care for you and your loved ones because it can avoid the fees, cost, and stress of court intervention in the event of mental incapacity or death. Properly funded, a living trust can…
By Phillip B. Rarick, Miami Trust Attorney You have a valuable tax benefit from the IRS, but the deadline for taking advantage of this benefit is December 31. The IRS allows you to gift $14,000 per recipient each year tax free; if married, you can gift $28,000 per person. Example: …
By Jacqueline R. Bowden, Esq. and Phillip B. Rarick, Esq. Same-sex marriage will likely be legal in Florida beginning January 6 as a result of a historic 7-2 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday, December 19. This ruling, denying Attorney General Pam Bondi’s request to extend a stay preventing…
First, let’s hope you don’t need this. But, if you do, here is a checklist of key estate planning items that should be considered prior to filing a petition for dissolution of marriage: Note: This is a partial list of key items. Invariably there are other considerations. Consult your estate…