How Is Estate Planning I Do In Florida Impacted When I Move To Another State?
Video Summary
How is estate planning I do while I live in Florida impacted when I move to another state?
Well, that’s a question that you’re gonna have to ask the out-of-state lawyer, whenever you move. It’s my recommendation that if you move to another state, that you consult with a lawyer in whatever state you become a resident, and ask him to review your estate planning documents. That’s something that I do routinely.
And then I get asked, the other question is, “Are my estate planning documents from Illinois, or some other state, valid in the state of Florida?” Most of the time, I look at those and say, “Well, the will would probably be effective. However, for me to review it and confirm that the aspects of the self-proving aspects, and also the personal representative, would be sufficient and Florida would have it admitted to probate, it would be easier in most circumstances just to do a new Florida will, particularly if there are any circumstances that have changed.”
Usually, a will that has been properly executed in another state is effective in Florida. However, you may want to modify it to Florida law, in order for the ease of administration when you pass away, and if it has to be admitted to probate. It is a good idea, though, to talk to an attorney in whatever state you reside, to have him review your estate planning documents.
Florida is peculiar in that we require the personal representative to either be a relative or a resident of the state of Florida, to serve as a personal representative, which may not be the case in your old document. There may be other laws that are peculiar to whatever state you move to, so that lawyer could tell you about that.
Also, we have different powers of attorney and how they must be executed, in Florida. Under a Florida power of attorney, we like to have two witnesses, so that we can use it to convey real property. Also, living wills and healthcare surrogates.
So, the short answer to the question is, consult with whatever attorney about estate planning documents, wherever you become a resident. And take with you your estate planning documents that you previously executed.
If you have any questions about this, please give me a call at 727-847-2288.
- Published in Estate Planning, Videos
Do I Need A Lawyer For A Will?
Video Summary
Do I need a lawyer for a will?
Yes, you should use a lawyer to prepare your will. Each state has different laws as far as how the will is to be signed, so there’s a certain formality involved as far as signing a will. In Florida, it requires that the will be signed in the presence of two witnesses, and the person who executes the will. And if it is not, and if both parties are not present, then the will can be challenged and is ineffective.
Also, there are certain provisions in a will that you would want to consult with a lawyer – besides the particular language, as far as paying your bills – as far as what property you want to go to what particular person. It’s not a particularly good idea to try and designate a beneficiary for each one of your assets, since those assets are fluid and you don’t know what assets you’ll have at the time of your death.
So, it is my suggestion, whenever I take information to prepare your will, that you allocate it into shares or percentages for the particular beneficiaries. If there’s a particular grandchild or person that you wanna leave a specific sum of money, well, we can designate that.
It’s also important to know or consult with a lawyer as far as devising your home or your homestead property. And there’s certain constitutional provisions which does not allow you to leave your house to anyone you want, if you’re married or if you have minor children.
So, if you’d like to have a will prepared, give me a call. I’ll be glad to give you a quote for preparing the will. Also, there’s other documents that I will talk to you about whenever we do your estate plan, such as a living will which states your dying declaration as to whatever circumstances you want life support to be discontinued.
Also, a healthcare surrogate, which is a healthcare power of attorney form where you’re designating someone to make healthcare decisions for you if you’re unable to do so. And, also, a durable power of attorney which appoints an agent to be able to sign on your behalf. And the durable power of attorney is effective even if you become incapacitated, and may avoid having to set up a guardianship.
So if you would like to do some estate planning, giving me a call at 727-847-2288.
What Is A Holographic Will?
Video Summary
What is a holographic will?
A holographic will is one that is written out by the person, or the testate of the person, that they’re writing their own will. So, it’s a handwritten will. And under Florida law, the holographic will – or a handwritten will by the testate or the person that’s making out the will for themselves – must comply with Florida law, which requires that it be witnessed by two different witnesses who sign in the presence of the person that’s writing out the will.
I hear from my clients, from time to time, where they’ve put off making out a will. They get ready to go on a trip – particularly if they’re going to Europe or getting on an airplane ride – that they’ve written out something as to what they want done. They show it to me after they get back safe and sound, and then say, “Well, I did a will, myself.” Well, that’s not gonna be effective in Florida, because it doesn’t have the two witnesses, or wasn’t executed with the formality that’s required under Florida law, which is the two witnesses.
So if it is witnessed and the witnesses were present when the testate or the person making out the will signed it, it’s not effective. If they were there, it is effective. And then we’ve gotta try and decipher what you had to say, without any guidance of an attorney.
I believe that there are some states that give preference to holographic wills, and not require them to comply with the formalities of a typewritten will or a will prepared by a lawyer. But that is not the case in Florida.
So, if you have a holographic will, give me a call at 727-847-2288, and I’ll set you up a will conference. Thank you.
Do I Need A Lawyer To Establish An LLC In Florida?
Video Summary
Do I need a lawyer to establish an LLC in Florida? The answer to that is no.
You can go on the Secretary State’s website and it’s very easy to establish an LLC. However, the problem with that is once that you establish it, who is the owner of this LLC, what you need to go along with your LLC is what they call an operating agreement, which sets forth who the members are and their particular percentage interest. It’s analogous to having a corporation and you don’t have any shareholders, so who owns the corporation? So it’s easy enough to set one up. However, who owns it once you have it established, who are the members, and so that’s where you do need a lawyer to set up an operating agreement designating who are the members, which is the membership interest in the LLC.
So if you would like me to set up an LLC or prepare an operating agreement for you, give me a call at (727) 847-2288. Thank you.
- Published in LLC's and Corporations, Videos