You may be legally married in one of states that allow gay marriage, but if you live in the state of Florida you are not considered married under Florida law. What does this mean for you and your same-sex spouse? … Continue reading
Many people believe that going to an attorney to have their Last Will and Testament prepared will be costly. Not so, what will become costly is when you don’t employ an attorney to prepare your documents. There are many attorneys … Continue reading
When your child turns age 18, he or she is no longer viewed as your dependent. At age eighteen, your “baby” is considered an adult. As such, you are no longer able to act on your child’s behalf. Insurance companies, … Continue reading
Because the state of Florida does not recognize your same-sex relationship, despite the fact that you have been together longer than most heterosexual couples, despite the fact that you were legally married elsewhere, means that YOU need estate planning. If … Continue reading
For a variety of reasons, the phenomenon of grandparents raising their grandkids has risen significantly over the past decade. With the downturn of the economy and the scarcity of jobs, parents are finding it difficult to provide for their kids. … Continue reading
Preparing legal documents such as a Last Will and Testament, Durable Power of Attorney, Designation of Health Care Surrogate, Living Will, and Declaration Naming Preneed Guardian is something we all need to do, but is usually placed on our never … Continue reading
A friend’s daughter is about to turn 18 and go off to college in Florida. Upon her turning 18, she is viewed as an adult in the eyes of the law in Florida. In other words, her parents no longer … Continue reading
Have you had a recent death in Florida and not sure how to proceed? Once the funeral arrangements have been made, many questions are presented. Who in the family is to take charge? Who is the Executor (Personal Representative in … Continue reading
It is disheartening to hear that an attorney with whom a client has placed their trust (and hard earned money) has been disbarred and sentenced to prison because of greed. A former Mississippi lawyer was found guilty of embezzling more … Continue reading
If you are gay or lesbian, are in a same-sex relationship, and live in Florida, you are not being afforded the legal rights and protection given to heterosexual couples. If you don’t already have a Last Will and Testament, then … Continue reading
If a person dies who resided in Jacksonville, Florida or anywhere else that is in Duval County, a probate proceeding will be filed at the Duval County Courthouse. The two most common types of probate administration are a Formal Administration … Continue reading
The U.S. Department of the Treasury just announced that when it comes to federal taxes, it will recognize same-sex couples who have been legally married in states allowing gay marriage, even if they live in a state (Florida) which does … Continue reading
The mega retail store Walmart has recently declared that it will provide benefits to the domestic partners and same-sex spouses of their nearly 1 million employees. How this will play out for same-sex couples in Jacksonville is unknown. There are … Continue reading
A Probate Administration is the court-supervised process for identifying and gathering the assets of a deceased person (decedent), paying the decedent’s taxes and valid debts, and distributing the remaining assets to the decedent’s beneficiaries or heirs. WHAT ARE PROBATE ASSETS? … Continue reading