A will is an important document for many reasons, the primary one being that it disposes of a person’s property without that person being present to ensure that his or her wishes are being fulfilled. This in part explains why creating a will entails a great deal of formal requirements,…
As the result of modern advances in technology, more and more children are being born through in vitro fertilization. Another reason for this trend is that a greater number of career oriented professional women are choosing to focus on their careers at ages when, historically speaking, most women were focused…
The intersection of law and technology has received heightened attention in recent years due to the increasing importance of social media in our daily lives and the resulting implications for our personal privacy and confidential information. This modern interrelation between law and technology is becoming increasingly important in the field…
A recent Florida case, In re Estate of Aldrich, demonstrated the potential consequences of using so-called “Do-It-Yourself” legal forms as a substitute for professional legal advice. The case was centered on the will of Ann Dunn Aldrich, which had been written by Mrs. Aldrich with the assistance of an “E-Z…
Oftentimes when individuals hear the term “homestead,” they fail to truly understand the protections that a Homesteaded property brings with it. While any homeowner with a Homestead property surely appreciates the $50,000.00 Homestead Exemption when tax season rolls around, this Exemption is only the tip of the iceberg as far…
While many of Tony Soprano’s most iconic quotes are of the NSFW variety, one of his “work friendly” quotes comes to mind in light of the criticism directed towards James Gandolfini’s estate plan: “A wrong decision is better than indecision.” While the benefit of hindsight makes it easy to point…
Vehicles often comprise part of a person’s estate after they pass. It is sometimes possible to distribute vehicles very soon after a person’s death, sometimes even without an order from the probate court. If the beneficiary of the vehicle is either the surviving spouse, or, if there is no surviving…
An interesting case recently surfaced involving the $200 million estate of a North Carolina real estate developer Henry Faison. Mr. Faison created a will devising his estate in 2000, but decided to make changes last year. Unexpectedly, Mr. Faison passed away in his office just before signing the second will.…
The Florida legislature recently saw fit to amend the Florida Power of Attorney Act (the “Act”). The revised Act, reflected in Ch. 709 of the Florida Statutes, became effective on October 1, 2011, as lawmakers re-wrote the entire chapter in order to conform more closely to the Uniform Power of…
In United States v. Windsor, the Supreme Court took a historic step towards providing equality to all, regardless of sexual orientation. While a significant victory for same-sex couples across the nation, it must also be understood that this decision is somewhat limited in scope. As the Miami Herald noted, this…