Many people put off their Estate planning, and it’s often a mistake. It’s an easy point – prior planning will prevent mishaps later. Do you need a will, or is a trust a better option? Do you need to transfer assets now, or is it better to wait? Answering these questions now will prevent headaches … Read more
Dividing retirement accounts in a divorce is a pivotal issue for many. Detailed information is needed as to what kind of retirement accounts exist (company pensions or Individual Retirement Accounts, for example) and what the balances were at the time the parties married. In addition, parties to a divorce need to consider the tax consequences … Read more
Many divorces involve dividing retirement assets. Dividing these assets can be tricky. Most people have either 401-K or Individual Retirement Accounts. However, dividing these can also cause problems. The biggest issue often is deciding when to evaluate the asset. Some people want to use the date the parties separated, while others use the date on … Read more
Before you ever reach a trial, try using mediation. Mediation is one of the best tools around. It is also called Alternative Dispute Resolution. And it provides a way for people to resolve problems without risking it all in court. It is a great forum for outlining differences, and it provides a safe and secure … Read more
Estate & Trust planning is an important thing to consider. There are different types of trusts, and each serves a unique purpose. It’s important to know the differences. The most commonly used trust in estate & trust planning is a Revocable Trust. This type allows a person to create a trust, with the … Read more
The legal process is something all people in a lawsuit should understand. Too often, new clients come to us and are confused by the process. So here’s a quick tutorial. The legal process is always started by filing a Petition, or Complaint. In legal terms, it’s called a pleading. The other party must usually … Read more
Having a loved one pass away is hard. Having to handle his or her affairs makes it much more difficult. Here in Florida, there are two basic types of probates, and it is good to know the differences between the two. The easiest type and the one we use most often are summary probates. Summary probates are … Read more
Several cases we see involve divorces in which one of the parties is a non-resident. That is, the Husband and Wife lived in Florida, but moved away. In many instances, the non-resident is in the military, or works in a field in which they have to work out of state. In other cases, both parties lived here … Read more
It’s officially a new year, and that’s a good time to do some estate planning. Consider it part of your early Spring cleaning. However, instead of cleaning out the old closets, you’re cleaning up what happens when you pass away. If you already have a will, start by making sure you know where it is … Read more