Articles Posted in Estate Planning

What is a Florida Beneficiary’s Right to Trust Accounting? By Phil Rarick, Weston Trust Attorney, and Jasmine Benitez, Legal Assistant In Florida, qualified beneficiaries of a trust have a legal right to receive an accounting from the trustee. This accounting is a detailed report of the trust’s financial activities, including income, expenses, distributions, and the…

Can a Trustee Be Removed in Florida? By Phil Rarick, Weston Trust Attorney, and Jasmine Benitez, Legal Assistant The answer is yes – under certain circumstances, a trustee can be removed from their duties. A trustee has a high fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interest of the qualified beneficiaries, but if they fail to do…

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 the better option for your situation? This guide will compare both, explaining their benefits, drawbacks, and key…

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 not provide comprehensive protection from…

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 incapacity or death. A trust…

3 CREATIVE WAYS FAMILY LAW ATTORNEYS CAN USE TRUSTS By: Phillip B. Rarick, Miami Trust Attorney, and Maria C. Gonzalez, B.C.C., Family Law Attorney The following note is a brief review of three popular trusts that can help ensure compliance with future financial obligations set forth in a Pre-Nuptial Agreement or Marital Settlement Agreement. Hypothetical…

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 considered an adult creating…

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 the types of wills…

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 is painful is that the…

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 their families years of…