Articles Tagged with Miami asset protection lawyer

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

Introduction

The commencement of a Florida guardianship is typically used in two situations – either when a person may be incapacitated or when a minor receives assets in excess of $15,000.  If a guardianship is sought because someone may be incapacitated, then typically the court sets two hearings.  At the first hearing the court determines whether the person is incapacitated; at the second, the court appoints a guardian if the person is determined to be incapacitated.  Often, these hearings are combined.  The court has the option of appointing a limited or a plenary guardian.

By Phillip B. Rarick, Esq., Miami Asset Protection Attorney

Executive Summary:

Last summer in the case of Olmstead V. F.T.C the Florida Supreme Court held that a charging order is not the exclusive remedy against a single member LLC and indicated that it may not be the exclusive remedy against a multi-member LLC.   2010 WL 2518106 (Fla. June 24, 2010.)  This case revealed a major flaw in Florida law for LLC’s: it showed that a Florida LLC could be attacked more easily since the creditor of a single member LLC was not limited to a charging order against a LLC member, but rather could step into the shoes of the member. The new legislation, HB 253, signed by the Governor on May 31, makes clear that a charging order is the exclusive remedy against a multi-member and single member LLC.  However, for a single member LLC, the new law provides a significant  exception that creditors may be able to utilize to penetrate the LLC, rendering single member LLC’s still vulnerable.

By Phillip B. Rarick, Miami Trust Attorney

Executive Summary

In addition to our sunshine, Florida has one of the best tax and asset protection climates of any state in the country.  Florida has no state income tax, no fiduciary tax, no intangible tax, no estate tax, and arguably the most generous homestead laws anywhere in the U.S.A: you can have a multi-million dollar home and this residence will be virtually untouchable by creditors. However, moving to Florida without proper planning does have risks. This Report discusses the risks and explains how to clearly establish Florida domicile.

By Phillip B. Rarick, Miami Trust Attorney

Who is Impacted by This Legislation, F.S. § 732.401?

The surviving spouse of a decedent when the decedent owned homestead property which was not properly devised or cannot be devised is impacted by this legislation.  However, all Florida probate attorneys need to know the implications of the legislation as the new law requires an analysis of whether the surviving spouse should file an “Election of Surviving Spouse to Take a One-Half Interest of Decedent’s Interest in Homestead Property.”  F.S. §732.401(2)(e).  Such an election must be filed within 6 months of the decedent’s death. All Florida estate planning attorneys are impacted as such homestead election powers should be standard language in most durable powers of attorney and inter vivos trusts.

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