Articles Posted in Elder Law

Special Note

The information on this blog is of a general nature and is not intended to answer any individual’s legal questions. Do not rely on information presented herein to address your individual legal concerns. If you have a legal question about your individual facts and circumstances, you should consult an experienced Miami trust attorney. Your receipt of information from this website or blog does not create an attorney-client relationship and the legal privileges inherent therein.

By Cristina M. Fernandez, Esq. A. The Question A common question we encounter is how to transfer the title of a motor vehicle upon the death of its owner. B. Law Summary Florida law allows the beneficiaries or heirs of a deceased person to transfer a motor vehicle title without the need of a formal…

By Phillip B. Rarick, Esq., Miami Trust Attorney ¿Qué es un fideicomiso de vida? ¿Cómo ayuda a evitar la legalización? ¿Por qué la mayoría de familias están usando un fideicomiso de vida en vez de un testamento para proporcionar para sus queridos? Estas preguntas y muchas más tienen respuesta en nuestro informe popular, Comprendiendo Fideicomiso…

By: Phillip B. Rarick, Miami Probate Attorney Note: This is a first in a series of short reports on the subject of avoiding elder abuse scams – a subject of considerable importance in south Florida. However, these reports are for persons of all ages. Example From Real Life: An attorney I know exceptionally well was…

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 of the Personal Representative’s…

By Phillip B. Rarick, Esq., Miami Probate Attorney A family member has died, and you are the Personal Representative or Executor named in their will. Your job is to find a probate attorney. You probably have three objectives: you want an attorney who will handle the legal tasks (1) efficiently; (2) as quickly as possible,…

By Phillip B. Rarick, Esq., Miami Trust Attorney Define Your Objectives – and Ask The Right Questions Many persons seeking to retain an attorney for preparing a living trust often ask the wrong question, which is simply this: What is the cost for a living trust? This is usually mistake number one. Of course you…

By Phillip B. Rarick, Esq. and Ashley Fernald In Florida there is frequently the difficult issue of whether to transfer homestead to a revocable living trust. The client wants to avoid probate and therefore generally wants to transfer the homestead to the trust. However, since the Bosonetto case in 2001, there has been uncertainty as…

By Miami Trust Attorneys Phillip B. Rarick, Esq. and Jay R. Beskin, Esq. I. The Opportunity – And The Problem. The Opportunity: Gifts to family members and others are free of the U.S. gift tax if under the exemption. Specifically, U.S. Citizens in 2012 can give away assets worth $5,120,000 ($10,240,000 per couple) without having…

The time from to open and close a Florida probate estate depends on the type of administration – and of course upon the attorney. If the attorney is not experienced in Florida probate or does not concentrate in this field, expect the probate to take much longer and cost more. A. Summary Administration: The Fast…