Recent Blog Posts
Purchasing a House for Your Child Without Losing Control of the Investment
Housing unaffordability has made it extremely difficult for younger people (specifically zoomers and millennials) to purchase real estate. If you’re an older family member watching from the sidelines, it can be incredibly difficult to witness your child or grandchild struggle to save enough for a down payment. If you want to lend a helping… Read More »
How Do You Know if a Trustee Will Follow Your Instructions After You’re Gone?
Trusts are popular in Florida for various reasons, including probate avoidance and asset protection. But as the name implies, this estate planning strategy relies on a foundation of trust. How do you know whether your trustee will actually follow your instructions after you’re gone? Will they act in the best interests of your beneficiaries?… Read More »
How Do Personal Representatives Work With Probate Lawyers in Florida?
In Florida, the “personal representative” is the person responsible for overseeing the probate process after a decedent passes away. Probate can be quite complicated, and this is why many personal representatives choose to work alongside probate lawyers in St. Petersburg. How exactly is a personal representative supposed to collaborate with a probate lawyer? Probate… Read More »
Can the Florida Homestead Exemption Really Protect Me From Out-of-State Debt?
Throughout history, many well-known business leaders, actors, and other public figures have used the Florida homestead exemption to avoid debt obligations. But is this really possible? Could you rack up debt in another state, move to Florida, purchase a home, and avoid ever having to pay the money back? This is something you might… Read More »
Generation-Skipping Trusts vs. Dynasty Trusts in St. Petersburg
Generation-skipping trusts and dynasty trusts are two examples of estate planning strategies designed to provide financial support for your family well into the future. Although similar in many ways, these two types of trusts represent different philosophies toward generational planning. To determine which option makes sense for your family, consider speaking with an experienced… Read More »
How Florida’s Homestead Exemption May Restrict Your Estate Planning Options
Normally, a Florida resident is free to devise their property as they wish through their will or by creating a revocable trust. But there is an exception for married persons who own their primary residence. Such residences, known as “homesteads,” enjoy a special status under the Florida Constitution. Florida Law and Your Primary Residence… Read More »
Does a Florida Trustee Have to Provide Annual Accountings?
In any Florida irrevocable trust, state law requires the trustee to “provide a trust accounting … to each qualified beneficiary at least annually and on termination of the trust or on change of the trustee.” Practically speaking, the trustee must give the beneficiary a “reasonably understandable report” so that the beneficiary can understand what… Read More »
Can You Probate a Copy of a Lost or Missing Florida Will?
A last will and testament is the cornerstone of your estate plan. Even if you plan to control and distribute most of your assets through trusts, you still need a will to name a personal representative for your probate estate, nominate guardians for any minor children who may survive you, and distribute any non-probate… Read More »
What You Need to Know About Estate, Gift & Inheritance Taxes in Florida for 2026
A New Year often means changes to various federal and state tax laws. Yet for Florida residents thinking about their estate planning needs, particularly as it relates to potential estate taxes, 2026 should not represent a radical departure from 2025. Only a small handful of Florida estates need worry about such taxes. That said,… Read More »
Annuity Trust vs. Unitrust: Understanding the Differences Between 2 Types of Florida Charitable Remainder Trusts
For high net worth Florida residents looking to incorporate charitable giving into their estate plan, a charitable remainder trust (CRT) offers many potential benefits. A CRT is a type of irrevocable trust where the grantor donates assets to a not-for-profit charity, such as a university or other 501(c)(3) organization, but retains an income stream… Read More »