Should You Use a Lady Bird Deed or a Trust in Florida? By Jacqueline R. Bowden Gold, Broward Estate Planning Attorney When planning your estate in Florida, you may have heard about Lady Bird Deeds (Enhanced Life Estate Deeds) and Revocable Living Trusts as tools to transfer property while avoiding probate. But which is…
Does a Florida Land Trust Provide Asset Protection? By Phil Rarick, Weston Trust Attorney, and Jasmine Benitez, Legal Assistant Many real estate investors wrongly believe that a Florida Land Trust can offer asset protection. While this type of trust is known for providing privacy and simplifying estate planning, they do…
What is a Family Trust? By Phil Rarick, Weston Trust Attorney – Every family needs instructions in the event of disability or death. A Family Trust, also known as a Living Trust, is your detailed, legally binding instructions to care for you and your family in the event of mental…
BOI Report Filing Deadline Is December 31 By: Phil Rarick, Miami Trust Attorney Note: This Alert is for any owner of a LLC, corporation, limited partnership, or professional association. It is in follow up to our past notices about the requirements of the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report under the…
The Importance of Your Adult Child Naming a Healthcare Surrogate and Power of Attorney By: Jacqueline R. Bowden Gold, Miami Estate Planning Attorney – When a child turns 18, they reach the legal age of majority. While they may still be living at home and supported by you, your child is…
Is a Handwritten Will Valid Under Florida Law? By: Jacqueline R. Bowden Gold, Miami Lakes Estate Planning Attorney When planning for the future, a crucial step is ensuring that your wishes are respected after your death. This often involves creating a will. However, not all wills are created equal, and understanding…
Keeping Peace in The Family: 5 Common Pitfalls By Attorney Phil Rarick, Weston Estate Planning Attorney As an estate planning attorney, I sometimes witness stressful family fights that break out upon the death of a father or mother or husband and wife. On some occasions, it’s outright family warfare! What…
2024 Property Tax Appeal Deadline: Read the Small Print! By: Phil Rarick, Miami Trust Attorney You will miss this deadline if you do not read carefully – and you may need a magnifying glass to find it. Around the last weeks of August, you should have received in the mail…
Florida Successor Trustee Checklist By Phillip B. Rarick, Miami Trust Attorney You are named the successor trustee and the trustmaker has just died. No doubt these are difficult times, but thankfully there are many resources to help. The following is a checklist of initial important tasks to help guide…
By Phillip B. Rarick, Esq., Miami Lakes and Weston Estate Planning Attorney Its a New Year and time to file your 2025 Annual Report if you own a Florida LLC (limited liability company), corporation, or partnership. The deadline is May 1, 2025. The state will charge you a…