Estate planning, probate & elder law in Fort Lauderdale
Estate planning, probate & elder law in Fort Lauderdale
Philip Seymour Hoffman left his entire estate outright to his unmarried partner and turned down trusts for his children. Here is what that teaches unmarried couples and blended families in Florida.
Read moreHeath Ledger signed his will two years before his daughter was born and never updated it, so she was left out entirely. Here is why keeping your will current matters, and how Florida law handles it.
Read moreRobin Williams had a sophisticated estate plan, yet his family still ended up in court fighting over his watches and memorabilia, because it never spelled out his personal property. Here is how to avoid that in Florida.
Read moreAretha Franklin left two conflicting handwritten wills, one found in a couch cushion, and it took a jury trial to sort out. Here is why a homemade will can be worse than no plan at all, especially in Florida.
Read moreA will is simpler and less expensive but goes through probate; a properly funded living trust usually avoids probate and keeps things private. Here is how to decide which one fits your Florida family.
Read moreMichael Jackson set up a living trust to protect his children, but he never funded it, so his estate was forced through years of public probate. The lesson: a trust is only as good as what you put into it.
Read morePrince died with an estimated $150 million estate and no will, triggering six years of court battles. Here is what happens when you die without a will in Florida, and the simple plan that avoids it.
Read moreFlorida's recent estate planning law changes affect wills, trusts, homestead planning, and Medicaid eligibility for 2025.
Read morePre-need guardian declarations, testamentary trusts, and UTMA accounts: three ways Florida parents can protect minor children and the assets they inherit.
Read moreFlorida's elective share guarantees a surviving spouse at least 30% of the estate regardless of the will. What it covers, distribution priorities, deadlines, and defenses.
Read morePractical estate planning strategies from a Florida attorney: retitling assets to avoid probate, planning for contingencies, choosing fiduciaries, and wills versus trusts.
Read moreNon-citizens owning Florida property face unique estate planning challenges, including federal estate tax exposure and ancillary probate requirements.
Read moreA Florida lady bird deed is an affordable estate planning tool that transfers property to heirs while avoiding probate and retaining homeowner control.
Read moreA revocable living trust allows asset control during lifetime while simplifying post-death transfer and avoiding probate.
Read moreA quitclaim deed is the simplest way to transfer real property interest in Florida, commonly used between parties with existing relationships.
Read moreThe Florida Uniform Transfers to Minors Act provides an easy way to transfer property to minor beneficiaries through custodial accounts.
Read moreJohn is happy to talk through how this applies to you. Your first consultation is free, with no obligation.
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