Florida is marketed to out-of-state residents as a tax-friendly paradise. The Sunshine State has no state income tax and no state estate or inheritance tax. In fact, Florida’s exclusion from federal estate tax is part of the Uniform Relief from Death Tax Act. But even if a state did not have […]

A will usually names a Personal Representative (PR), but what happens if that person cannot or will not serve? It happens more often than you may realize. In some families, the appointed person has died. In others, a family member may not have the time, expertise, or desire to take […]

Most people who try to DIY asset protection generally have the best intentions. They typically make a gift, transfer a house, or add a family member to a bank account because they think it will protect the property from probate and creditors or, at the very least, simplify things for […]

During life’s most difficult moments (and when you least expect it), estate hijacking can take place. What exactly is “estate hijacking?” Also referred to as inheritance theft, estate hijacking is when one person seizes control and access to accounts, property, or paperwork, often without legal authority. The phrase “estate hijacking” […]