Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Do Not Forget About Your Digital Assets in your Estate Plans
You have more digital assets than you realize. In fact, you may be reading this article right now from a device that stores many of your digital assets. But what happens to those assets after you die? In other words, can your digital assets be included in your estate planning documents? After all, if… Read More »
Who Can Benefit from Healthcare Advance Directives in their Estate Plans?
Advance directives can be a vital part of your estate plan, but certain people can benefit more so than others. If you live in Florida and are updating or establishing your estate plans, you may have thought about including documents such as a living will or healthcare surrogate. Any individual who wants to identify… Read More »
Avoid Potential Financial Disaster by Having an Estate Plan in Florida
Most people think about putting together an estate plan, but they don’t always follow through with it. If you’ve been thinking about starting your estate plan, it’s important to start the process sooner rather than later. Having a comprehensive estate plan is not just about what happens to your assets when you pass away…. Read More »
Asset Protection as Part of your Estate Planning
When it comes to estate planning, most people believe it is primarily about who gets what when you pass away. However, a very important part of your estate plan should include how to protect the hard-earned assets you have accumulated during your lifetime. If you wait until you’re facing a crisis, it’s often too… Read More »
How an Attorney can Help with the Probate Process
When a family member passes away, it can be a logistical nightmare on top of being an emotional roller coaster. The last thing you want to worry about in addition to the grief is navigating the probate process. Dealing with the court system and lengthy legal procedures is confusing and often overwhelming. This is… Read More »
4 Ways to Reduce Conflict with Your St. Petersburg Estate Plan
Conflicts related to an inheritance shouldn’t come as a surprise, as it’s very common for family members to have disagreements related to who should receive what when someone passes away, or over how to take care of an ailing loved one. It’s important to take steps early on to minimize the potential for conflict… Read More »
Do I need an Advance Directive as Part of My Tampa Bay Estate Plan?
Drafting a will, setting up a trust, and deciding who gets what assets are only a portion of what a complete estate plan should include. Another important aspect to address is what should happen in the event you become incapacitated. If you are seriously injured or develop dementia later in life, you may not… Read More »
What Role Do Personal Representatives Play in a Florida Probate?
When you set up an estate plan, you will be asked to designate a number of potential positions, including a personal representative, or executor, of the will. You may also hear of a personal representative or executor referred to as an administrator. The terms may be somewhat interchangeable between states, but the individual duties… Read More »
Common Myths and Misconceptions about Probate Administration in Florida
It’s understandable that most people don’t want to know much about probate. Let’s face it, who wants to focus on topics that deal with your death? However, estate planning and probate basics are important to understand. You should be prepared, especially when other people are depending on you. If you are unprepared, it can… Read More »
What to Watch for When You Suspect a Florida Trustee of Breaching Their Fiduciary Duty
Trustees are the ones who manage the assets of a trust on behalf of the beneficiaries. They are to manage the assets in whatever manner the trust terms dictate. This is known as their fiduciary duty. When a trustee fails in this duty, it’s considered a breach of fiduciary duty and the beneficiaries may… Read More »