Florida Trust & Probate Attorneys Blog

Three Common Problems We See With Non-Florida Wills

Published on: January 8, 2019 | by Rarick & Bowden Gold

By: Jacqueline R. Bowden Gold

Our office handles probate estates for many out of state residents through our Florida Counsel services. In handling the estates there are three common problems we see with Non-Florida Wills that can easily be avoided by consulting with a Miami Estate Planning attorney. If you have a non-Florida resident who owns Florida real estate an ancillary administration may be required upon their passing. You should consider these problems when drafting their Will:

Naming an out of State Attorney as Personal Representative or Executor.

Strengthen Your Prenuptial Agreement With A Nevada Asset Protection Trust

Published on: November 14, 2018 | by Rarick & Bowden Gold

By Phil Rarick

All modern passenger jet planes have at least two engines. Similar reasoning applies to prenuptial agreements. Many will argue that a good prenuptial agreement should fly safely on its own without the need for a “second engine.” However, a second engine could be a Nevada Asset Protection Trust (“APT”) that could only be contested in a Nevada court. Simply by requiring a litigant to seek redress in another jurisdiction will present a strong financial and psychological deterrent to a disgruntled spouse seeking to overturn the prenuptial agreement. Two engines are safer and stronger than one!

Here are two initial objections that I hear from some of my Family Law attorney friends:

Why Every Attorney Over Age 35 Should Consider an Asset Protection Trust – Now!

Published on: November 12, 2018 | by Rarick & Bowden Gold

By Phil Rarick, Esq.

May the odds be with you – but frankly they are not:

A recent study indicated that the average lawyer can now expect three legal malpractice claims during his or her career.

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 corporate entities, such as a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), or limited partnership (LP).

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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: