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…
Celebrities Who Died Without a Last Will The Importance of Estate Planning By: Jacqueline R. Bowden Gold, Miami Estate Planning Attorney When we think of celebrities, we often envision lives of glamour, wealth, and success. However, many high-profile individuals have passed away without taking a crucial step that could have spared…
By Phillip B. Rarick, Miami Probate Attorney You are named the personal representative (or executor in other states) and a loved one or family member has just died. No doubt these are difficult times, but thankfully there are many resources for help. The following is a checklist of initial important…
If you are a beneficiary or interested person of a Florida Will, you have numerous legal rights protected by Florida law. These laws are designed to keep you informed about the probate administration and make sure the decedent’s wishes as described in the Will are fulfilled. The person in charge…
By: Phillip B. Rarick, Esq. Most divorce judgments call for one of the parties to obtain a life insurance policy for securing the payment of child support, alimony or some other financial obligation. Let’s assume the obligation is solely child support: a potential mistake is failure to secure payment 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 Probate Attorney Executive Summary Failure to obtain court approval under Florida guardianship law of a pre-suit structured settlement exceeding $15,000 on behalf of a Florida minor child could result in the settlement being disaffirmed by the minor on reaching majority or within a reasonable time…
By Phillip B. Rarick Esq., Miami Probate Attorney The following documents are usually needed to open a testate Florida ancillary probate: Court-authenticated copy of: 1. Decedent’s last will 2. Petition for Probate 3. Order admitting the will to probate 4. Letters of administration Other documents: 5. Two Certified Death Certificates…
By Phillip B. Rarick, Miami Probate Attorney Executive Summary: The following is a memorandum our firm gives to the person named as Personal Representative (in other states this role is referred to as the “Executor”) in the decedent’s will, or who is entitled to be Personal Representative under Florida law. …
By Phillip B. Rarick, Miami Probate Attorney Note: This is a short list of initial tasks for a person who may be appointed the Personal Representative (or Executor) of an estate under a Florida will, or if there is no will, in an intestate estate. This is not a complete list…