Quick answer, State law will dictate how your assets are distributed. Assets that fall under the purview of the Probate Court without direct beneficiary designations will need to be probated and they will be distributed pursuant to the laws of intestacy. This means that Florida law dictates who will inherit your probated assets without. . .
Ask Heidi : What are the Steps for Probate Once a Loved One Passes?
When a loved one passes away, the circumstances are emotional and stressful for anyone. The last thing on your mind is the practical and legal steps that must take place during this time. I tell everyone that you should take a breath, take care of putting your loved one to rest, grieve, spend time with. . .
Red Flags to Look for When Hiring an Estate Planning Attorney
Estate Planning is not black and white or an easy area of law to navigate by yourself without legal counsel. Estate Planning is an area of the law that can have everlasting (and devastating) effects on you and your loved one’s future. As with any legal matter, it is essential to remember to choose a. . .
Strangest Estate Planning Requests
Creating a Will allows us to control the nature of our property as well as fulfill some last wishes. But what if those wishes are very strange? You would not be the first! A surprising unusual estate planning request comes from William Shakespeare. Shakespeare all but excluded his wife, Anne Hathaway, from his Will instead. . .
What is a Living Will?
In the event you become both mentally and physically incapacitated and can no longer make end-of-life choices yourself, a properly drafted Living Will (also called an Advance Directive) states your wishes and a plan of action regarding medical treatment and life-sustaining measures. A Living Will is a document which states whether or not you want. . .
Things to Consider In Order To Include Charitable Giving Into Your Estate Plan
Sometimes we are not often able to donate to important charitable causes as much during our lives as we might like to. Leaving a gift as part of your Estate Plan is a great way to support the important work your favorite non-profit organization will continue to do in your memory and your gift no. . .
It Take A Village: Hiring For Your Small Business
The Benefit of Using An Attorney Instead of An Internet Service For Your Will
Ask Heidi: “I am not rich..Do I need a Last Will and Testament?”
This question gets a resounding YES. No matter what your financial status is, having a Will is necessary to give YOU the control of what happens to your family and your “stuff” in the event of your death and gives your appointee(s) a smooth process in order to effectuate your wishes. If you have. . .
Your Digital Afterlife
As we stress pretty often, Estate Planning is a part of adulting that everyone should take some time to address. While we are most familiar with the ins and outs of what this basic process looks like — deciding who and what and when should happen to your assets but have you ever thought about the. . .