Florida Trust & Probate Attorneys Blog

Your Florida Single Member LLC Is A Fortress – A Sand Castle Fortress!

Published on: November 6, 2018 | by Rarick & Bowden Gold

By Phil Rarick, Esq.

The Message.

Apparently the message has not got out: In 2011, the legislature threw Florida single member LLC’s under the bus. In a compromise with the bank lobbyists called the Olmstead Patch, multi-member Florida LLC’s (or limited liability companies) were given charging order protection, but a Florida single member LLC receive none. This means a Florida single member LLC can be easily attacked because creditors are not limited to a charging order; rather creditors can foreclose on their interests. See F.S. 605.0503. Olmstead V. F.T.C. Also See Olmstead Patch.

8 Point “Porcupine” Asset Protection Strategy

Published on: October 9, 2018 | by Rarick & Bowden Gold

May the odds be with you –but frankly they’re not. More than 60% of doctors over the age of 55 have been sued at least once, according to a new survey by the American Medical Association (AMA). Doctors are not the only professionals at risk. Virtually all small business owners and professionals face multiple risks from the person injured at a party on one of your properties, the “friend” who borrows your jet ski and hits a swimmer, dissatisfied customers, disgruntled employees, and unhappy ex-partners.

It is a simple reality: We live in a hostile legal environment, and the chance you will not face costly litigation at some point in your career is not good. The good news is that you can fight back. Here is a quick summary of our “Porcupine” Asset Protection Strategy with tested legal strategies that can help protect your investments and property.

Make Your Assets As Unattractive as Possible to Attack with a Good Asset Protection Strategy

Florida’s Sweeping Elective Share

Published on: October 6, 2018 | by Rarick & Bowden Gold

By Phillip B. Rarick, Esq., Miami Probate Attorney

Florida’s 30% elective share law was completely rewritten in 2001 because the old law could be easily circumvented by placing assets in a revocable trust or using non-probate transfers (e.g. life insurance, IRAs etc.) In an effort to curtail such tactics, the legislature overhauled the statute and broadened the share. The result is an expansive elective share that sweeps into the decedent’s “elective estate” many non-probate assets. See F.S. §732.201 —§732.2155.

What Is Included? Florida’s elective share statute retains the 30% share under prior law, but introduces the concept of the “elective estate” (sometimes referred to as “augmented estate”) that consists of the following property interests under F.S. §732.2035:

10 Point Checklist For Florida Corporate Entities

Published on: January 3, 2018 | by Rarick & Bowden Gold

By Phillip B. Rarick, Miami Lakes and Weston Estate Planning Attorney

Note: This 10 Point Checklist is for those persons who have interests in one or more Florida entities, such as a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), or limited Partnership (LP).

1. Annual Fees. In January the State of Florida will send notices via email reminding you that annual fees for each corporate entity are due no later than May 1. Do not wait to get an email notice from the state, as your fees are due regardless of whether you get a notice. Remember: The deadline to pay these fees is May 1 without penalty.

Does A Trust Need to Be Recorded, Filed or Registered in Florida?

Published on: October 18, 2017 | by Rarick & Bowden Gold

Does A Trust Need to Be Recorded, Filed or Registered in Florida?

One of the most common questions I get as a Weston estate planning attorney is, do I need to record my living trust? Some persons believe that a trust needs to be publicly recorded like a corporation or a deed. This is generally wrong; not only is recording not required or needed for most trusts, in most cases recording would negate one of the chief benefits of a trust: confidentiality. Let’s look at more specific questions.

Does a Living Revocable Trust Need To Be Recorded During the Life of the Trustmaker?

EXPLORING IMMIGRATION OPTIONS

Published on: October 11, 2017 | by Rarick & Bowden Gold

Exploring Immigration Options: The Best Visas for Investors, Executives & Skilled Workers

by: Elizabeth Blandon, Board-Certified Immigration Attorney

For investors, business executives and skilled workers, there are several excellent immigration programs available that can help you to live and work in the United States –in most cases you will also be able to bring your immediate family members.

Four Problems With “Simple Wills” In Florida

Published on: October 6, 2017 | by Rarick & Bowden Gold

By: Phil Rarick, Estate Planning Attorney

Many persons are tempted to have a “Simple Will” in which they want everything they own at death to go outright first to their spouse, and if the spouse does not survive then to their children in equal shares. Rather than take the time to consult with a Weston estate planning attorney, many persons are tempted to write the Will themselves, using will forms they see advertised on TV. Read more: 5 Common Mistakes With Florida Do-It-Yourself Wills

In our practice we have seen many so-called “Simple Wills”. Most have big problems that end up costing the family much more fees and causing more stress than if the person had the Will drafted by an experienced Weston estate planning attorney. Here are just four big problems, but there are many more:

7 Smart Tips For Hurricane Irma Insurance Claims – And 5 Traps

Published on: September 12, 2017 | by Rarick & Bowden Gold

By Phil Rarick, J.D.

7 TIPS

1. Before You Clean Up Document Your Losses

Informática de Fideicomisos y Testamentos para Abogados de la Florida

Published on: June 1, 2017 | by Rarick & Bowden Gold

FIDEICOMISOS-300x200

Informática de Fideicomisos y Testamentos para Abogados de la Florida

REFERENCIA DE LEGALIZACÓN DE LA FLORIDA

Por Phillip B. Rarick, Esq., Abogado de Legalización de Miami

The Problem With A Florida Professional Association

Published on: May 3, 2017 | by Rarick & Bowden Gold

Big Question: Can your practice survive if you suddenly die or become incapacitated?

Royal-Flush-florida-professional-association-post-300x215 Recently, a highly respected physician suddenly died owning 100% of his practice in a Professional Association. No other person was listed on Florida’s Sunbiz.org as an officer. Payroll was paid on a weekly basis. Even though the Professional Association had been assigned to the doctor’s living trust, the bank (a large Florida bank) refused to give the successor trustee access to the Professional Association’s bank accounts citing F.S. 621.06, 621.09 and 621.11.

The statutes cited limit ownership of a P.A. to a licensed professional. We contend the Bank’s interpretation is overly narrow because no court has held that transfer of any interest to a living revocable trust is a transfer of beneficial interest. A living revocable trust is essentially the settlor. Although we believe the bank’s interpretation of these statutes is wrong it is not worth fighting the bank. The bank holds all the valuable cards: the King, the Ace and of course all the money.