Articles Posted in Trust Administration

Celebrities Who Died Without a Last Will

Celebrities Who Died Without a Last Will

The Importance of Estate Planning

By: Jacqueline R. Bowden Gold, Miami Estate Planning Attorney

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 a “Notice of Proposed Property Taxes” or “TRIM Notice” from your county property tax appraiser. This is NOT a bill but a notice. Buried at the bottom of your Notice in small print is an important deadline for appealing your tax assessment.

Incorporating Cryptocurrency into Your Estate Plan

By: Jacqueline R. Bowden Gold

cryptocurrency
As cryptocurrency continues to grow in popularity, it has become an increasingly important asset class for investors. However, many people overlook the complexities involved in incorporating digital assets into their estate plans. Unlike traditional assets, cryptocurrency presents unique challenges and considerations. Here’s a guide to help you seamlessly include your crypto holdings in your estate planning process.

Understanding Step-Up in BasisA Crucial Tool for Estate Planning

By: Jacqueline R. Bowden Gold, Miami Estate Planning Attorney

Step-up in basis is a tax provision in the United States that can significantly benefit those who inherit assets. By resetting the value of an inherited asset to its fair market value at the time of the decedent’s death, this provision can potentially minimize capital gains taxes when the asset is sold. Understanding how step-up in basis works and how to effectively receive it can be crucial for effective estate planning and maximizing the value of inherited assets.

Instructions
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 you after the funeral or memorial service.

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 $400 late fee if you miss this deadline.

The official Florida web site is  www.sunbiz.orgThis site has “Consumer Notices”  to alert you to bogus web sites that try to scam persons who file these reports.

Asset Protection Checklist For Married Professionals

By Phil Rarick,  Esq., and Jacqueline Bowden Gold, Esq., Miami Asset Protection Attorneys

If you have creditor threat, do you know what assets are easily exposed to creditors?   Do you know what assets are already protected by Florida law? Take this three minute survey for a quick assessment.

Asset Protection Checklist For Single Professionals

By Phil Rarick, Esq. & Jacqueline Bowden Gold, Esq., Miami Asset Protection Attorneys

asset protection checklist for single professionials
Florida has good laws to protect your business, real estate investments, and equity investments. Are you taking advantage of these laws? Take this three-minute survey for a quick assessment.

Curve Balls to Watch for In New Florida Trust Director Law

By Phillip B. Rarick, Miami Trust Attorney, and Hannah S. Rarick, J.D. Candidate

Effective as of last year July 1, 2021, Florida is now 1 of 15 states to enact the Uniform Directed Trust Act (FUDTA), F.S. §§736.1401 to .1416, that allows a third party other than the Trustee to take over some part of the trust administration – such as supervision of a small family business. This third party is called a Trust Director (or directing Trustee) in the new statute; but is also commonly referred to as a Trust Advisor under prior law or Trust Protector in other jurisdictions.

by: Phillip B. Rarick, Esq.

We have been helping small business owners survive and thrive – in good times and bad – for over 25 years. Here is how we may be able to help you in this current challenging business environment.

1.    Contract Review and Force Majeure. A Force Majeure clause is a standard clause in many contracts. If you have a contract you are trying to get out of – or the reverse – if you have a person trying to nullify performance under your existing contract the interpretation of the “Force Majeure” clause will be a determining factor.

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