Your Client Has Been Named Trustee; Does He Really Need An Estate Attorney?

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Your Client Has Been Named Trustee; Does He Really Need An Estate Attorney?

Your Client Has Been Named Trustee; Does He Really Need An Estate Attorney?
Posted on: February 6, 2018
By Hallie L. Zobel, Esq.

A client recently terminated me as his attorney of his mother’s trust. I found it interesting that his decision came the day after he met with his financial advisor. Perhaps it was a total coincidence! After all, it is difficult for me to believe that a client would have been given advice from another professional that is likely to ...

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Trustees

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Can an RV or boat qualify as homestead under Florida law?

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Can an RV or boat qualify as homestead under Florida law?
Posted on: January 30, 2018
By Mary Merrell Bailey, Esq., CPA MBA MSTax MSAccounting

The answer is an unequivocal, “maybe.”

It is completely fact-based, depending on the circumstances of that particular RV or boat. The relevant terms in the Florida Constitution include “dwelling house” used as a “residence.”

How can I prove that my RV is my homestead?

The process for getting an RV deemed to be taxed as real property instead of ...

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Asset Protection

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Preparing for the Next Hurricane Irma

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Preparing for the Next Hurricane Irma

Preparing for the Next Hurricane Irma
Posted on: September 27th, 2017
By Hallie L. Zobel, Esq.

Houston under water.  Puerto Rico destroyed. Central Florida battered.  Natural disasters such as Hurricane Irma can be a sobering experience. Many clients and friends walked away from their Florida homes, prepared to lose everything. Most of us in Central Florida were very lucky and have our power back. The grocery store aisles are almost full again. The curbs still are littered with tree branches ...

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Digital Assets, Young Adults

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The Florida Electronic Wills Act

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The Florida Electronic Wills Act

The Florida Electronic Wills Act
Posted on: June 2nd, 2017
Hallie L. Zobel, Esq.

It’s wonderful to live in the 21st century, where Amazon orders often arrive less than 24 hours after being placed, even on Sundays. Movies are on demand, and the internet allows us to manage banking and all else without ever needing to leave the house. And when I do leave the house, I wonder how I ever found my way to an appointment without my ...

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Estate Planning, Last Will and Testament

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Celebrate Mom by Talking with Her about Her Future

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Celebrate Mom by Talking with Her about Her Future

A different kind of Mother’s Day Gift: Celebrate Mom by talking with her about what she wants for her future
Posted on: May 5th, 2017
By Mary Merrell Bailey, Esq., CPA MBA MSTax MSAccounting

Mother’s Day is approaching.  How are you planning to celebrate Mom this year?

Flowers always are a safe bet. Perhaps you and your siblings could create a photo album enjoying years of gatherings.  Maybe you could take your whole family out to brunch, ...

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Aging Parents, End of Life Planning, Estate Planning

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Five Clues That it’s Time to Update Your Estate Plan

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Five Clues That it’s Time to Update Your Estate Plan

Five Clues That it’s Time to Update Your Estate Plan
Posted on: March 31st, 2017
By Hallie Zobel, Esq.

 Creating an estate plan is often an emotional exercise. For some individuals, engaging in thoughtful decision making regarding the orderly distribution of one’s assets provides a sense of peace, satisfaction, and even pride. For others, the experience may be daunting as they come face-to-face with their own sense of mortality. In either situation, once the documents have been signed, ...

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Digital Assets, Estate Planning, HIPAA

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Your Funeral Wishes – Your Way

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Your Funeral Wishes – Your Way

(photo credit: Clint Brewer/Splash News)

Your Funeral Wishes − Your Way
Posted on: February 7th, 2017
By Mary Merrell Bailey, Esq. CPA MBA MSTax MSAccounting

You may already have estate planning documents to ensure that your worldly possessions are passed on in a manner consistent with your values and traditions. But have you thought about planning ahead to spare your loved ones from the painful task of making decisions regarding your funeral arrangements – while they are grieving?

Do ...

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End of Life Planning, Funeral Arrangements

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The Presidential Candidates – The Federal Estate Tax and the Capital Gains Income Tax

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The Presidential Candidates – The Federal Estate Tax and the Capital Gains Income Tax

The Presidential Candidates, the Federal Estate Tax, and the Capital Gains Income Tax
Posted on: November 8th, 2016
By Mary Merrell Bailey, Esq. CPA MBA MSTax MSAccounting

Tonight, we should know who will be our next president.  While Congress passes tax legislation, the president shapes policy. What plans does Donald Trump have for the estate tax versus Hillary Clinton? How do the plans differ compared to the current rules?

Estate Tax Now

The estate tax is one of three federal transfer taxes ...

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Estate Tax

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6-Step Estate Planning Checklist

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6-Step Estate Planning Checklist
Posted on: November 7th, 2016
By Mary Merrell Bailey, Esq. and Hallie Zobel, Esq.

As we enter the final quarter of 2016, we like to remind our clients, friends, and professional associates to pause and reflect on their goals (whether for themselves or for their clients) for the coming year.  To facilitate that process, we have prioritized a checklist summarizing what we consider to be “Six Very ...

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Estate Planning

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Greed or Passive Opportunism? Financial Exploitation of the Elderly an Unfortunate Reality

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Greed or Passive Opportunism? Financial Exploitation of the Elderly an Unfortunate Reality

Greed or Passive Opportunism? Financial Exploitation of the Elderly an Unfortunate Reality
Posted on: October 30th, 2016
By Hallie Zobel, Esq.

Financial exploitation of the elderly is on the rise throughout our countryFrom where I sit, it’s not uncommon to find myself with a front row seat peering into the darker side of humanity. It’s hard to imagine anything more heartbreaking than litigating a probate case involving the apparent financial exploitation of an elderly citizen ...

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Elder Abuse, Probate, Undue Influence

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